Brookfield Zoo houses nearly 4,000 animals representing more than 500 different species. One of our largest expenses, which cannot be reduced, is the care, welfare, and feeding of our animals.

Here at Brookfield Zoo, we spend roughly $41,000 per day to provide the highest quality food and species-specific diets, support the staff who care for our animals, and maintain environments which provide both mental and physical challenges for the animals to improve their quality of life.

As the VIP Lead Patron of the Animals, you will receive a customized benefits package to suit your wishes, which will include:

• VIP behind the scenes access and personal animal encounters
• A tour at the Veterinary Hospital led by one of our veterinarians
• An exclusive behavioral enrichment experience
• A tour of the Zoo Nutrition Services Program led by the Director of Nutrition
• A behind the scenes tour of our Animal Ambassador building, where you can see how diets prepared by nutrition services are fed to the animals
• A private lunch with the Senior VP of Animal Programs
• Up close and personal interactions with animals of all shapes and sizes
• Regular video and written updates throughout the year
• Special recognition in the Veterinary Hospital for one year

You can help make a difference by sponsoring the animals of Brookfield Zoo at the VIP Lead Patron level.

Under IRS guidelines, the amount of your contribution that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is limited to the excess of your payment over the value of the goods or services provided by the Chicago Zoological Society. The estimated fair market value of goods or services received in return for this contribution is $150.