Mohawk Valley Gives Campaign 2026
Make A Difference Zooday!
The Utica Zoo isn’t just a place for our fantastic community—it’s a home for endangered, threatened, and otherwise vulnerable animals. We are proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and certified by the New York State Department of Education, upholding the highest standards of animal well-being. We provide forever homes for rescue animals brought to us by local wildlife rehabilitation professionals who cannot be returned to the wild.
We are where education and adventure meet—through our Zoo Camps, Zoomobile visits, and special community events. We are committed to fostering a deeper understanding and respect for the natural world while also creating lifelong memories for all. Open to the public 363 days a year, our zoo is home to over 200 exotic and domestic animals while welcoming around 100,000 visitors annually.
On average, it costs over $7,000 each day for zoo operations and the care of our animals. Your generous gift to our zoo makes an immediate impact. It helps to sustain the valuable work we pursue year-round, while providing support during our most vulnerable months over winter when the cost of expenses are high and the number of visitors are low.
The Difference your Donations Makes:
- Your support maintains daily care for our animals—food, veterinary services, enrichment, bedding, and more.
- It helps fuel education and conservation initiatives that promote public appreciation of wildlife through engaging exhibits and programming.
- It sustains our zoo as a vital, inspiring community asset delivering #funthatmatters.
- With your gift today, we can continue providing meaningful experiences, fostering conservation awareness, and protecting vulnerable species. Your generosity truly makes all the difference!
STAFFWORKS Save A Life Campaign
Matching Online Donations
And a special shout-out to Staffworks for matching your gift and maximizing its impact! The Staffworks Fund will match online donations up to $15,000 from 12am on Monday, September 14, until 8:59pm on Friday, September 18 through online giving at givemv.org. The Staffworks SAVE A LIFE Campaign has raised $13,291,793 for 43 animal organizations since 2014. TAHNK YOU STAFFWORKS!
Our Kickoff Event:
Tuesday, September 15th from 5:30pm-7:00pm
This event is generously sponsored by the Ward Arcuri Law Firm. Join us here at Utica Zoo this evening to learn about what your support can do for our accredited zoo, our community, and our planet. This event is free to register but has a limited capacity of 75 individuals. Claim your ticket for this evening ahead by clicking the button below.
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 15th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Behind the scenes tours for pre-pledged donors 4:00pm to 5:30pm.
Location: 1 Utica Zoo Way Utica, NY 13501. Impact statement will take place either outside our brand-new Bull Reef or inside our Visitor’s Center (weather dependent).
During this evening, you can expect:
- Complimentary drinks including beer, wine, seltzer, and soft drinks from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
- Heavy hors d’ourves from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
- An impact statement given by Executive Director, Andria Heath, at 6pm.
- Behind the scenes tours for pre-pledged donors from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. See details about behind the scenes tours below.
- Our entire zoo open to you.
Behind the Scenes Tours:
Donate Ahead to Schedule Your Tour
Dive deeper to really see what your support can do for our zoo with a behind the scenes tour during this event! How does it work?
How: Generous gifts of $250 USD or more pledged to MV Gives by September 15th at 4pm will receive a guided behind the scenes tour at the Utica Zoo. Donations can start being made on Monday, September 14th. Donors will be emailed a link from Utica Zoo allowing them to digitally sign up for the tour of their choosing. Individuals can arrive at 4:00pm on the night of the event to sign up for a tour in person instead if they would like to avoid the digital sign-ups. See the button below to make a donation on the MV Gives website on Monday, September 14th or Tuesday, September 15th to be eligible for a tour.
What: These roughly 15-minute tours will highlight the future of Utica Zoo while showcasing the necessary improvements needed to achieve these goals. Tours available include our brand-new Bull Reef exhibit, the African lion exhibit, the red panda exhibit, the ambassador animal suite, and inside the primate building. These tours will occur from 4:00pm to 5:30pm before the event starts.
When: Donate by the time of the event so by Tuesday, September 15th at 4pm to be eligible for a tour. Donations can start being made on Monday, September 14th.
Generous individuals who donate during the event can be scheduled for a guided behind the scenes tour for later in the week instead but cannot be guaranteed a tour for that evening.
