A Little Local Give and Take

There are countless holiday gift options out there. Many people are turning to experiences as gifts or making conscious efforts to give to local businesses. The Zoological Society checks a lot of those boxes. As a local nonprofit, the money raised by the Society helps make the Zoo a cultural asset. Here are some unique gift ideas from the Zoological Society that let you feel good about giving locally and taking away some big benefits:

• Zoo Pass: The Zoo Pass gives the recipient a full year of free regular admission to the Zoo, discounts on Zoo classes and camps, coupons for select Zoo attractions, free or discounted admission to 150 zoos and aquariums nationwide, members-only events and much more. Purchase a new gift Zoo Pass this holiday season and receive a free plush-toy hippo with the package!
• Cyber Monday Deal: Anyone who buys or renews a Zoo Pass on Dec. 1, (Cyber Monday) will automatically receive a print of a painting done by North American river otter, Shamrock.
• Sponsor an Animal: This holiday season you can sponsor Filly, the Zoo’s female jaguar from Belize. With the sponsorship, you get a plush-toy jaguar, a certificate of sponsorship, an invitation to a special event for animal sponsors in August and more.
• Animal Ornaments: Each year, the Zoological Society reveals a new collectible animal ornament. This year is designed for the Eastern black rhinoceros. The Zoo’s new rhino habitat is expected to open in December, welcoming two new rhinos! Or, guests can choose from the other 33 ornaments.
• Wild & Ready Gift Bag: This ready-to-go bundle is packed with Zoo-themed treasures – a Society-branded cooler, a limited-edition illustrated bonobo mother-calf tote, an adorable plush goat, a one-of-a-kind hippo art coaster, a stunning pewter ostrich ornament and a tiny-but-mighty hand-carved soapstone rhino. In-person only — grab one on your next Zoo visit. It’s already packaged up for you in an animal-print gift bag.

Excluding the Wild & Ready Gift Bag, all these gifts can be purchased online at zoosociety.org, over the phone or in person. Each gift includes shipping and handling and can be mailed to the recipient or the gift giver.

Giving Tuesday

If you’re not looking for gifts or presents, this year we are lucky to announce we have an anonymous donor who will match any donations up to $7,500 on Giving Tuesday. So, people can double their impact when they donate to the Zoological Society on December 2. Donations will go to our commitment to helping the Zoo bring the best care to the animals. To get the full match, donations must be made on Dec. 2.

About the Zoological Society of Milwaukee

The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to conserve wildlife and endangered species, educate people about the importance of wildlife and the environment, and support the Milwaukee County Zoo.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.