If you've been following Mac KID Athens for a while, you've probably noticed that I love bragging on Bear Hollow Zoo. It's one of my favorite places to recommend because it's completely free, easy to explore with kids, and gives families the chance to see native wildlife they likely wouldn't encounter in their day-to-day.
What many people don't realize is that you can actually help support the amazing work they do by adopting one of the zoo's residents through the Adopt-an-Animal Program!
Maybe you're looking for a unique gift, a new way to teach your kids about wildlife conservation, or just want to give back to one of Athens' most-loved attractions. Adopting an animal is a great (and fun!) way to support the care of Bear Hollow's residents and the zoo's educational mission.
What Does It Mean to Adopt an Animal?
When you adopt a Bear Hollow Zoo resident, you can select a one-time donation that will help provide important resources that directly support the animals and the zoo’s mission. Because this location is volunteer-ran, your funds will directly help with:
- Food and care supplies
- Exhibit repairs and improvements
- Wildlife education programming
Plus, you’ll receive special adoption materials that let you learn more about the animal you’re helping to support!
Choose Your Favorite Zoo Resident
Listed below are some of the animals you might consider adopting:
| American Alligator | American Black Bear | Bald Eagle |
| Barred Owl | Beaver | Eastern Box Turtle |
| Eastern Indigo Snake | Eastern Screech Owl | Gopher Tortoise |
| Great Horned Owl | North American River Otter | Opossum |
| Pine Snake | Red Fox | White-Tailed Deer |
Sponsorship Levels
The Adopt-an-Animal Program offers several adoption levels, making it possible for families and businesses to participate.
Bronze Level — $50
Includes:
- Original Bear Hollow Zoo animal sticker
- Informational fact sheet about your adopted animal
- Thank-you card featuring original artwork from a local artist
- Certificate of adoption
Silver Level — $100
Includes everything from the Bronze Level, plus:
- Vinyl sticker or magnet (while supplies last)
- Sponsor name listed on the Bear Hollow Zoo website for one year in recognition of your donation
Gold Level — $500
Includes everything from the Silver Level, plus:
- A surprise piece of artwork created by one of Bear Hollow Zoo’s animal residents (3x3 canvas or small clay print, depending on availability)
- An animal greeting with one of Bear Hollow’s ambassador animals
Diamond Level — $1,000
Includes everything from the Gold Level, plus:
- A larger surprise artwork piece created by one of the zoo’s animal residents (5x7 canvas or clay print, depending on availability)
- A special zoo experience for up to four people with Bear Hollow Zoo’s Zoo Coordinator
- A Gift That Makes a Difference
Participating in an animal adoption is more than just submitting a form and making a donation, it’s a way to help provide ongoing support for our local wildlife and an effort to keep our zoo around for future generations to enjoy. Kids especially will love knowing they have “their” animal at the zoo each time they visit and learning more about the species they helped protect.
➡️ Learn more about Bear Hollow Zoo, including park address and hours of operation at https://www.accgov.com/bearhollow.
➡️ Looking for other ways to get involved? Check out their Amazon Wish List.
➡️ They also book birthday parties! Take a look at all of the perks your party could receive here.
