Annual Appeal
Funding Projects
Every year, the Zoological Society raises funds for a project that will support our mission to conserve, educate and support the Milwaukee County Zoo. Capital projects support exhibits, improving visitor engagement and animal enrichment experiences. Conservation or education projects build empathy for wildlife and inspire conservation action. All projects support our mission and partnership with the Milwaukee County Zoo. This is an opportunity for supporters to donate in any amount and see the direct result of their giving.
2024 APPEAL
Pat’s Paws for a Cause
We need your help to protect wild animals like jaguars and tapirs and secure their future. These wonderful creatures are in danger due to hunting and loss of their natural habitats. Together, we can ensure these animals grow and thrive for the betterment of our planet.
Pat The Cat
Pat the cat was a wild jaguar in Belize suspected of killing cattle on farms. The Belize Zoo took Pat in as part of their human-jaguar conflict program. No longer deemed fit to return to the wild, Pat was brought to the Milwaukee County Zoo and given a second chance. A new budding relationship formed between the two zoos and the Pat Gives Back program was created for our zookeepers to participate in on-the-ground conservation efforts.
Over many years this program has fostered the relationship with the Belize Zoo, worked with local communities in Belize to co-exist with jaguars in their region, improved veterinary care for jaguars and other native animals, and so much more.
Not only are we doing great work in the field, but Pat fathered two litters at the Milwaukee County Zoo. One of them, Frankie, still calls the Zoo home. The Zoo hopes Frankie will one day have a litter of his own, providing a valuable genetic line for future generations of jaguar. We need your help to keep this and other important programs going to protect animals that can’t protect themselves.
Today, if you make a gift it will help us:
1 Save and protect jaguars and other wild animals in Belize.
2 Lead more conservation efforts in Belize to help humans and jaguars safely co-exist.
3 Train local keepers in Belize based on best practices conducted at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Please consider a gift to the Pat Gives Back program to help provide conservation and research efforts!
Donate today!
Donate today and Miller Brewing Company will match a portion of your donation!
Donations of $100 or more will be recognized on an electronic sign in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place. Signs will be updated quarterly.
Thank you! Your support makes a roaring difference.
Our Previous Appeals
For the past few years, the Zoological Society has raised money to support elements of Adventure Africa, a new section of the Milwaukee County Zoo that encompasses 25% of the Zoo’s developed footprint. The appeals supported enrichment items for elephants, new habitats for African hoofstock and a new hippo habitat that includes underwater viewing. The elephant and hoofstock exhibits opened in 2019, and the hippo exhibit opened in 2020.
Our Previous Appeals
For the past three years, the Zoological Society has raised money to support elements of Adventure Africa, a new section of the Milwaukee County Zoo that encompasses 25% of the Zoo’s developed footprint. The appeals supported enrichment items for elephants, new habitats for African hoofstock and a new hippo habitat that includes underwater viewing. The elephant and hoofstock exhibits opened in 2019, and the hippo exhibit opened in 2020.
Previous Annual Appeals:
A water filtration system for the elephants’ pool
Donations helped fund zookeeper conservation trips around the globe
A renovated and robust red panda yard to encourage outdoor enrichment
A fully developed outdoor gorilla yard to enhance their habitat environment
