The Akron Zoo will donate a portion of admissions to the Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Hurricane Relief Fund. Between Sunday, Sept. 24 through Saturday, Oct. 7, two dollars of every admission ticket will be donated and guests will have the option to donate additional funds.

The AZA Hurricane Relief Fund was established to help AZA-accredited facilities and their employees recover from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. While the amount of damage at each institution ranges in severity, many employees of AZA-accredited facilities have been greatly impacted by the storms and require assistance.

“The Akron Zoo is proud to join the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in this relief effort to support our sister accredited zoos and aquariums and their staff,” said Doug Piekarz, Akron Zoo president and CEO. “The staff at accredited facilities put the needs of the animals in their care above their own needs, especially during emergency situations. In fact every accredited zoo and aquarium designates an emergency response team who remains on site, away from their loved ones and property during significant emergencies to ensure the well-being of all animals, especially the many threatened and endangered animals in their care. We would like to do our part to support the dedicated accredited zoo and aquarium staff effected by these immense storms, and we invite all of Northeast Ohio to join us.”