Care for a Critter

Give a boa for a birthday, say “I love you” with a lemur, take a panda to a party or give a tortoise to your teacher. Whatever the occasion, give a truly unique gift that lasts all year, a Care for a Critter package!

When you Care for a Critter, you help the Akron Zoo provide food, medical care, habitat maintenance and conservation programs for one year.

Limited Edition Valentine's Day Packages

Mountain Lion Package

Show your valentine how much you love them this Valentine’s Day with a Mountain Lion Care for a Critter package!

I’d be (Mountain) Lion if I said I didn’t love you! I’ve got a mountain (lion) of love for you!

Package includes:

Special photo of Ozette and Neah
Mountain lion fact sheet
Official Care for a Critter certificate
Mountain lion plush
Special Valentine surprise

Limited quantities so get yours today!

Care for a Critter & Family Membership Promotion

Give the Valentine's gift that keeps on giving the whole year! Save $10 and show someone how much you care by giving the gift of a yearlong family membership to the Akron Zoo and the sponsorship of one of our animals.

Package includes:

Family level membership valid for 2 named adults and their dependent children or grandchildren under age 18
Featured plush of your choice
Personalized certificate
Animal photo
Animal fact sheet

Gift recipient will have one year to activate their membership. Purchases are non-refundable. Offer valid until February 20, 2026.

Step 1: Pick Your Critter

You can choose to sponsor any animal species at your Akron Zoo, but plush is only available for featured animals, while supplies are available.

Featured Animals:

Chilean flamingo
Galapagos tortoise
African lion
Humboldt penguin (plush sold out)
Ring-tailed lemur
River otter
Special Care for a Critter promotions

Step 2: Pick Your Level

Decide what benefits work best for you! Every sponsorship level includes a personalized certificate of sponsorship, an animal fact sheet and a color photo.

	$55	$80	$155	$255
Photo	X	X	X	X
Fact Sheet	X	X	X	X
Official Certificate	X	X	X	X
Plush Toy	X	X	X	X
Magnet		X	X	X
2 guest tickets to the zoo			X	X
Rise and Shine Safari*				X

*All Rise and Shine Safari tours must be scheduled at least two weeks or more prior to your visit by calling 330-375-2550 ext. 8973. Each tour can accommodate a total of two guests and includes general admission and parking for the day following your tour. Tours are not available for all sponsored animals. All tour participants must be five years or older.

NEW - Classroom/Group Package

Sponsor an Akron Zoo animal on behalf of your classroom or group! With this Care for a Critter package, you'll receive a photo of the animal you choose to sponsor, fact sheets (up to 25 per group), official certificate (up to 25 per group), official classroom/group coloring sheet or critter catcher activity (up to 25 per group), SproutWorld Sunflower Pencil (up to 25 per group) and a plush toy!

$125

Step 3: Purchase Your Care for a Critter

You can purchase your Care for a Critter package online or through the mail. Are you purchasing yours as a gift? Make sure to have the gift recipient’s info ready.