Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo

Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo

Website: http://www.santaanazoo.org

 (714) 953-8555

 (714) 550-0346

 1801 E. Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701

FOSAZ is a nonprofit corporation organized to develop financial support, growth and community awareness for the Santa Ana Zoo.

The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo was founded in 1972 by a group of volunteers who bonded with the common goal of enhancing the Zoo’s services and providing financial support for the needs of the animals. The organization received official tax-exempt status in September 1975, and the Friends of Santa Ana Zoo was born. The organization’s first fundraising effort was the installation of the farm feed machines.

Over the following years, FOSAZ took on added responsibilities at the Zoo. The Friends began to coordinate and sponsor Zoo special events, manage the Zoo gift shop, manage the membership and adoption programs, provide public relations and marketing for the Zoo, manage the Zoo’s website, and raise funds for Zoo improvements and animal acquisitions. They also brought in the Zoo’s Train Ride “Zoofari Express” and the Conservation Carrousel. The Friends have raised and provided funding for Amazon’s Edge, the $4.5 million dollar Crean Family Children’s Farm, the Colors of the Amazon Aviary, the $1.2 million dollar Tierra de las Pampas Exhibit, and raised the roof on a variety of primate exhibits. The Friends also fund items that are not included in the City budget such as tree-trimming, medical equipment, staff development and animal enrichment materials.

Through the above fundraising efforts, Friends of Santa Ana Zoo has been able to support and improve the Zoo for over 40 years.