(Photo credit: Zoo Miami Foundation)
Zoo Miami Foundation recently secured a $100,000 appropriation from the State of Florida for Zoo Miami’s new animal hospital.
Zoo Miami, consistently rated one of America’s top 10 zoos, will build a new world-class animal hospital that will enable the animal health team to provide the best possible care in an environment that meets the needs of the staff and the impressive collection of wildlife ambassadors from around the world.
“We are appreciative for the support that the State of Florida has demonstrated and are excited for the bright future of our animal hospital,” said Bill Moore, Zoo Miami Foundation president and CEO.
Zoo Miami’s hospital, built in 1986, contains surgical and exam rooms, radiology, a research laboratory, indoor and outdoor recovery rooms, and offices. A remarkable in-house veterinary team and external specialists graciously offer their skills and time pro-bono, however, the current facility has reached a threshold where facilities and equipment are inadequate to meet the ever-growing demands placed upon them. The new animal hospital construction will have three phases as it is important to maintain current use.
Phase I — Treatment wing addition (4,600 SF) and Interior improvements of the existing building (1,700 SF) Phase II — Animal holding area construction (9,650 SF) Phase III — Renovation and expansion of laboratory and offices (5,250 SF)
“I am so honored to support Zoo Miami’s new animal hospital project. Organizations like the zoo that are at the forefront of conserving and protecting our world’s amazing wildlife are so important to our future generations,” said State Sen. Anitere Flores.
Veterinarians at Zoo Miami are Category II federally accredited, have in-depth species and disease knowledge, and serve as a valuable resource to state and federal agencies. The veterinary team is comprised of four vets, two vet technicians, a hospital manager and four hospital zookeepers who manage the preventative and urgent care for nearly 3,500 animals, many of them endangered. The zoo’s Animal Health Department provides programs for veterinary students, undergraduates, and post-graduate students.
Zoo Miami works in cooperation with Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as a refuge to care for native species hurt in the wild. The hospital also serves as a safe haven for particularly vulnerable avian and other species during severe storms and hurricanes.
“A world class zoo like Zoo Miami that brings our communities together in the name of conservation is truly deserving of our support,” said state Rep. Anthony Rodriguez.
For more information and to offer your support, contact Ron Stayton, Chief Development Officer, Zoo Miami Foundation, at 305-255-5551 or rstayton@zoomiami.org.
For more information about Zoo Miami, visit www.zoomiami.org or call 305-255-5551.
