Christmas Zoo Parent Sponsorship has now closed. All new Zoo Parent orders will be processed after Monday 7 January 2008.
About Zoo Parent animal sponsorship
Zoo Parent is the Taronga and Western Plains Zoos' animal sponsorship program. Individuals, families, clubs, groups, schools and organisations can sponsor their favourite animal by becoming a Zoo Parent.
Your generosity will provide our animals with the ongoing support and development required to maintain their growth, the expansion of their enclosures and help ensure their prosperity for future generations.
Zoo Parent sponsorship is 100% tax deductible and all Zoo Parents receive a certificate, the quarterly Zoonooz magazine, Eeenooz email updates and information about your sponsored animal. Perhaps the biggest benefit of all is the satisfaction of knowing that your tax deductible donation is making a real difference to their environment. And for every $1 donated, the NSW State Government contributes a further $3, so your contribution becomes even more valuable.
Support The Taronga Foundation
Zoo Parent sponsorship does more than just help the animals at the Zoo. Funds are also used to conduct international research and education programs focusing on endangered species around the world, as well as assisting with the conservation, breeding and preservation of wildlife and their habitats.
While becoming a Zoo Parent won't cost the earth, every sponsorship will help to conserve it. Whether it's a gift, something for yourself, in recognition of a special occasion or a group purchase, Zoo Parent is a great option for everyone who loves animals.
back to top
Sponsorship packages
Zoo Parent sponsorships are 100% tax deductible. As well as the great satisfaction that comes from knowing you are helping the animals, Zoo Parents receive a personalised Zoo Parent sponsorship certificate, the quarterly Zoonooz magazine, regular Eeenooz updates and special information on your animal.
Horizon, River and Jungle sponsors are also acknowledged in our Online Gallery and receive a photo of their sponsored animal. In addition, River and Jungle sponsors also receive acknowledgement on a Zoo Parent Honour Roll in the Zoo grounds, and Jungle sponsors are also entitled to a special behind-the-scenes experience.
All sponsorships are fully tax deductible and every $1 donated generates a further $3 contribution from the NSW State Government. Donations are pooled to provide the best possible environment for all our animals.
back to top
Sponsorship levels
Savannah (Level 1) - $85 (100% tax deductible)
- Personalised sponsorship certificate
- Zoonooz quarterly colour magazine (12 month subscription)
- Eeenooz email updates
- Information on the sponsored animal
Horizon (Level 2) - $250 (100% tax deductible)
All the inclusions in Level 1, plus:
- Online Gallery acknowledgement
- Photo of the sponsored animal
River (Level 3) - $500 (100% tax deductible)
All the inclusions in Level 1 and 2, plus:
- Acknowledgement on the Zoo Parent Honour Roll in the Zoo grounds
Jungle (Level 4) - $1,000 (100% tax deductible)
All the inclusions in Levels 1, 2 and 3, plus:
- Behind-the-scenes experience
Remember, for every $1 you give, the NSW State Government gives a further $3!
Join Zoo Parent
back to top
Frequently asked questions
Facts about the program
- There is no limit to the number of people who can sponsor each animal
- Zoo Parents support a species of animal, rather than an individual animal
- Zoo Parents may change their selected animal from year to year
- The money raised by Zoo Parent animal sponsorship is pooled for all the animals. We do not separate money raised for each species. This would not only be difficult and expensive to administer, but would be unfair to those animals which do not receive as much sponsorship support, such as the reptiles.
Zoo Parent packages
- All sponsorship levels are 100% tax deductible
- Personalised sponsorship certificate, quarterly Zoonooz colour magazine, Eeenooz email updates, information on the sponsored animal
- Top-up donations are welcomed
- Horizon, River and Jungle sponsorships are acknowledged in the Online Gallery on our website and receive a photo of the sponsored animal
- River and Jungle sponsorships are also acknowledged on the Zoo Parent Honour Roll in the Zoo grounds
- Jungle sponsors receive a behind-the-scenes experience
When did the program start?
In 1977, in response to a visitor asking how they could help the animals. The idea of animal sponsorship quickly caught the imagination of people of all ages and from places far and wide, either to purchase sponsorships for themselves or as unique and very special gifts.
What type of things are paid for with the money raised?
Funds raised through the Zoo Parent program are used to provide support for all the animals at Taronga and Western Plains Zoos. As well as providing the best possible home for animals in our Zoos, The Taronga Foundation (of which Zoo Parent is a part) also contributes to international research and education programs on endangered species around the world, as well as assisting with the conservation, breeding and preservation of wildlife and their habitats.
It costs more to look after a sea-lion than a Little Penguin. What happens to the rest of the money?
All Zoo Parent funds are pooled. If choose to sponsor a sea-lion, you will receive information on the sea-lion in your sponsorship package, but you will be helping all the wild and wonderful animals at both Taronga and Western Plains Zoos.
What are the most difficult animals to look after?
All our animals are unique and have different dietary, habitat and enrichment requirements.
Which animals cost the most to care for and need the most time and attention?
This is a difficult one to answer, given the special individual requirements of all our animals. For example, it may cost the same to feed a gorilla for three months as it would to feed a giraffe for three weeks; however, the gorilla may require more time and energy in terms of enrichment programs and additional expense in terms of habitat.