Naples Zoo is thrilled to announce the completion and ribbon cutting for the Glass Animal Hospital and Smith Animal Commissary on November 12, 2019. This important project was completely funded through the support of lead donors Tanya and Denny Glass, Vickie and David Smith and many other generous donors and supporters.
The new, 10,000 square-foot Glass Animal Hospital and Smith Animal Commissary includes:
- A full surgical suite
- hospitalization rooms
- necropsy examination room
- diagnostic lab providing immediate results of blood work and ultrasound testing
- pharmacy
- holding areas to ensure animals are effectively quarantined
- state-of-the-art equipment allowing our skilled vet staff to give every animal the best care possible
Animal welfare is one of Naples Zoo’s highest priorities and the Glass Animal Hospital and Smith Animal Commissary will ensure the very best care possible for Naples Zoo’s growing animal collection. This project is the final piece of phase one of Naples Zoo’s Roaring Into Our Future $25 Million Capital Campaign. The $4.4 million animal hospital will fully address the Zoo’s veterinary needs and provide space to potentially care for injured or abandoned Florida panthers in collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
In 2015, Naples Zoo hired its first full time veterinarian and a full time veterinary technician. This team, working hand in hand with the Zoo’s animal care staff, help lead the health care for all of the animals at Naples Zoo. The former animal care facility for this professional team was a 10-foot by 15-foot metal shed, affectionately called the “vet shed.” Continuing to be a great zoo, and maintaining accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), required a major enhancement to the animal care facilities and healthcare environment. Providing the very best animal care possible and continuing to maintain accreditation by the AZA, necessitated the design and development of the new hospital and commissary.