Ensuring World Class Care

Behind the scenes, dramatic improvements to the Zoo include a much-needed, freestanding veterinary hospital for continued top-notch healthcare for our approximately 350 animals, including many threatened and endangered species.  The core responsibility of any zoo is to provide the best possible lives for the animals in its care. Roger Williams Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has a history of providing a high level of care for all its animals. 

While other capital campaign projects, both completed and yet to come, have higher public visibility, none will be more important than this new facility to assure the highest quality animal care for the hundreds of animals in the Zoo’s care.  Compared to other zoos of its size, Roger Williams Park Zoo has an impressive veterinary staff, including two full-time veterinarians and veterinary technicians. But over the years they have been challenged by the space limitations in the basement of what was originally a working barn. The current hospital requires that a variety of medical functions be performed in the same space.

What It Looks Like

The new hospital, with 55% more square footage, provides appropriate and separate facilities for each function. The setting for the new hospital is removed from other Zoo operations, providing a quieter area for care of sick and quarantined animals, as well as excellent access to a dedicated service road and secured gate for more efficiency during new animal arrivals or animal departures. The new veterinary hospital also includes an expanded animal care center for sick and quarantined animals and a spacious state-of-the-art surgical suite.

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