Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is thrilled to break ground on the Glass Animal Hospital today (May 11, 2018). At present, Naples Zoo is the only Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited Zoo in Florida that does not have an animal hospital on-site. This important project has been completely funded through the support of generous donors including lead donors, Denny and Tanya Glass.
Animal welfare is one of Naples Zoo’s highest priorities and the Glass Animal Hospital 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 and $5 Million Endowment Drive. Scheduled to open this winter, the $3.5 million animal hospital is being built to fully address the Zoo’s veterinary needs and 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 current facility for this professional team, however, is a 10-foot by 15-foot metal shed, affectionately called the “vet shed.” Continuing to be a great zoo, and maintaining accreditation by the AZA requires a major enhancement to the animal care facilities and healthcare environment.
Plans for the new, 7500+ square-foot Glass Animal Hospital include:
- A full surgical suite
- hospitalization rooms
- necropsy examination room
- diagnostic lab providing immediate results of blood work and ultrasound testing
- pharmacy
- holding areas with controlled air circulation to ensure animals are effectively quarantined
- state-of-the-art treatment facilities allowing our skilled vet staff to give every animal the best care possible
