$32,521 raised by 148 donors
81% complete
$40,000 Goal
About Friends of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary
The Friends of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary (FFZS) was incorporated in 1981 as a 501(c)3. Our mission is to preserve and enhance a city treasure by assisting in enriching the lives of the animals living at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. Our long-term goal is to enable the zoo sanctuary to be self-sustaining for future generations by reducing dependency on City funding.
FFZS, operated by a volunteer Board of Directors, cultivates and manages an endowment fund that benefits the zoo sanctuary (a little over $1 million in the past decade). This financial support includes funding toward annual general expenses as well as contributions including but not limited to animal habitat enhancements, animal enrichments, and animal and zookeeper training. in 2024 the Friends used that endowment fund to purchase a portable digital x-ray machine, that enables staff to conduct examinations without having to transport animals offsite which reduces costs and reduces animal stress. We were also able to fund the rebuilding of two exhibits to house new animals.
In addition to providing significant financial support over the past 42 years, FFZS members, primarily through the docent program, contribute more than 7,000 hours a year in volunteer time to enhance the lives of our animal residents and educate the public.
To learn more about how you can get involved, visit our website at folsomzoofriends.org
About The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary
The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary, established in 1963, houses animals that were orphaned before learning how to provide for themselves in the wild, injured and unable to fend for themselves, or confiscated as illegal pets. The majority of the Zoo residents (approximately 60%) are native North American species, with an emphasis on our local habitat like the American River Parkway where raccoons, hawks, bobcats, and mountain lions live. Approximately 20% of the residents are domesticated, such as our horses, donkeys, and Zebu. Finally, about 20% are exotic, such as our primates, macaws, parrots and serval. Animals living at the Sanctuary are treated with loving kindness and care. Their names and histories are shared with the visitors as teaching stories.
The Sanctuary and its volunteers offer programs designed to help individuals, schools, and families of all ages and abilities learn through experience, involvement, and discovery.
The mission of the Friends of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary is to enrich and enhance the lives of the animals living at the sanctuary through funding special needs, creating partnerships, supporting educational activities, and sponsoring special events.
The Friends are committed to helping the zoo sanctuary provide for the habitat and medical needs of our residents. Last year, we were able to purchase a portable, digital x-ray machine, enabling staff and veterinary caregivers to examine and treat animals onsite, thereby eliminating the need to transport large animals like Black Bear Henry offsite for regular dental checkups. While this is a cost savings for the sanctuary, it also reduces stress for animals. We also used our fund to pay to retrofit exhibits, allowing the sanctuary to rescue more animals and improve space for existing residents.
This year, with your help, we hope to continue our efforts to improve habitats and provide additional durable medical equipment. Specific needs are:
*Fluid pump so we can reliably administer IV fluids to our larger animals like Henry, who need higher flow rates than just one pump can provide. Cost $1500
* Oxygen concentrator, which provides oxygen derived from room air. Reduces dependence on the tank oxygen currently used, which will save money and time. Cost $1800
* Veterinary Tonometer, which monitors intraocular pressure to assess and monitor for glaucoma, which is common is older animals and those with cataracts. Yes, animals experience some of the same challenges that aging humans do! Currently our animals have to be taken offsite to a vet clinic or ophthalmologist to have their pressure checked. Many of our residents are elderly because we rescue them for life. Cost $4700
*Rebuild the exhibit for desert tortoise Lily, the California State Reptile. Cost $27,000
*Reroof the sand cat and fox exhibits for better weather protection for the animals. Cost $30,000
* Cold laser therapy uses beams of light to stimulate cell regeneration and increase blood circulation for some of our aging animals. Following treatment, animals experience less pain and swelling of affected areas, allowing for an increase in their range of motion, mobility, and healing. Cost for a cold laser $35,000
With your support, Friends can continue to fulfill our mission!
The Friends of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary celebrates the richness of our community by welcoming all who live and visit the City of Folsom. The Sanctuary is a safe space where discrimination, biases, harassment, or bullying of any kind is not tolerated.
Organization name
Friends of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary
other names
FFZS, The Friends, Friends of Folsom Zoo, Inc.
1981
Mission Category
Animal Related
Operating Budget
$0-$50,000
Organization Need
Funding: Program, Board Members
Demographics Served
Animals, General population
Local Counties Served
Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado
Address
403 Stafford StFolsom, CA, US
Sacramento, CA, US
El Dorado, CA, US
Elk Grove, CA, US
Roseville, CA, US