Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary

What is the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary?

Auxiliary Mission and Vision

THE MISSION AND THE VISION

The mission of the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary is to raise funds for the Arizona Zoological Society; assist in promoting education and conservation; and provide service as needed.

The vision of the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary is to be a recognized, respected, cohesive organization that continues to accomplish its mission in a fulfilling and enjoyable manner.

What does it mean to be a part of Auxiliary?
Being a part of The Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary means taking pride and showing active support for the Zoo. By actively deepening your support, you are giving the Zoo its opportunity to continue to touch more lives through animal experiences, while strengthening its future success.

Auxiliary Member Requirements – What we ask of you…

Be at least 21 years of age
Maintain current Zoo membership
Complete an Auxiliary application
Pay annual Auxiliary membership dues and financial obligation
Attend a minimum of four general membership meetings per calendar year, which are held on the first Tuesday of each month – September through May
Work on Auxiliary fund-raisers during the year

Auxiliary Activities

Guide Children’s First Academy (formerly Pappas School) tours of the Zoo; donate and serve their lunches
Support such fund-raisers as Zoo Brew and ZooFari
Finance, launch, promote specially designed Charity Charms to benefit the Zoo
Raise funds through the ink jet and laser cartridge recycling program and Charity Charms
Group trips and tours
Seasonal and social activities

Auxiliary HISTORY
     Quietly, an especially significant beginning took place in the September 1961 -- the Arizona Zoological Society Ladies’ Auxiliary (“Auxiliary”). Founded by Nancy Maytag (wife of Zoo Founder Robert Maytag), Mrs. James Allen, Mrs. Tim Rodgers, and Actress Ann Lee Harris, its initial and modest purpose was “to help out wherever” they could and to do “a little” fund-raising.
     In the last weeks before Christmas 1961, the Auxiliary’s nucleus of 20 women put together some simple greeting cards and “did a yeoman’s job of selling them.” When the receipts were counted, they had raised $500.
     The Auxiliary began exhibiting animals, such as a baby elephant and a woolly monkey, at shopping centers, schools, bazaars, festivals, and grand openings. While exhibiting animals, the Auxiliary ladies distributed ARIZOO and brochures, and began accepting Zoo memberships.

Achievement Highlights …

1962 – Auxiliary President Ann Lee Harris persuaded Paramount Pictures to hold World Premier of Howard Hawks movie, “Hatari,” starring John Wayne, in Scottsdale as a benefit for Zoo
1963 – Sponsored the first Aid-to-Zoo National Horse Show raising funds for Children's Zoo Contact Area, landscaping, and purchase of Zoo animals
1963 – Instrumental in securing funds to save Zoo from closure, during critical financial period
1965 – Focused on grounds improvement with Arizona Zoological Society President Earl Bimson, Zoo Director Jack Tinker, and Board; funded Giraffe / Zebra Exhibits
1966 – Purchased picnic tables and paved much-needed roads and walkways
1967 – Remodeled the Animal Nursery
1968/’69 – Built the Animal Care (ACC) and Gorilla Exhibit
1970 – Expanded Alligator Exhibit; bought male gorilla and giraffe; funded long-range planning study determining Zoo’s growth direction for next 10 years
1971/’72 – Funded extensive remodeling of the Lion / Tiger Exhibits
1973 – Assumed complete responsibility for education programs
1976 – Donated Coati Exhibit on the Arizona Trail
1979 – Built new Galapagos Tortoise Exhibit with Arizona school children, Dayton-Hudson Foundation, and American Express; constructed Bobcat Exhibit as memorial to Scott L. Libby, Jr. with Donald Ware Waddell Foundation underwriting
1980 – Completed Elephant Exhibit, after four years of fund-raising, research, design, and construction
1981 – Dedicated Nocturnal Exhibit for southwest desert, nighttime-active animals
1982 – Added cheetah to Zoo; began planning African Savannah
1983/’84 – Completed the African Savannah
1985 – Funding to the Children’s Zoo (Harmony Farms) and African Savannah
1986 – Funded the 10-Year Zoo Master Plan
1987 – Funded the Arizona Exhibit Graphics on the Arizona Trail
1988/’89/’90 – Funded further improvements on the Arizona Exhibit
1991 – Financial support for Arizona Trail Reptile Exhibit
1992/’93 – Funded improvements/additions to the Arizona Trail Exhibits
1994 – Contributed funds for Arizona Trail lighting
1995/’97 – Funds for miscellaneous items for the Zoo
1998 – Purchased leopard frog; funds for the elephant facility, Children’s Trail and Ruby’s House
1999 – Provided funds for Harmony Farms and Ruby’s House
2000/’01 – Financial support for ACC improvements
2002 – Funded the 40 year Zoo History by Dick George
2005 – Funds for the transport of lions and the Elephant Exhibit; pledged funds to the Zoo’s Capital Campaign for Sanctuary
2007 – Provided financial support for Zoo behavioral enrichment (BE) projects; funding to ZooReach; donated two new carts to ACC
2008 – Re-designated pledged funds toward the Bornean Orangutan project and gave $20,000 toward our pledge, plus an additional $20,000 collected from the inkjet/laser cartridge recycling program; hosted dedication of new Equine Facilities and arena; funded the elephant cooling system; funded the purchase of animal behavioral enrichment items; collected donations for the Arizona Animal Welfare League; donated money to buy video cameras for the Zoo Keepers; funded the Ruby painting posters framed and mounted at Pavilion

The Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary continues to explore new funding sources to assist The Phoenix Zoo wherever possible.