By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Zoo is teaming with area veterinarians to help raise $1.5 million to renovate and expand the on-site animal hospital.
The zoo plans to sell tiger-stripe wrist bands for $3 each at more than 100 veterinary clinics in the area.
Zoo President Donna Fernandez says they needs to raise the money by September 30th or risk losing accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Fernandez says an expansion of the hospital was already part of a phased improvement project. But, she says, that timeline was accelerated when the AZA mandated the money be raised by the September deadline.
Fernandes says the hospital was state-of-the-art when it was built in 1967 but changes to industry regulations over the years render the facility inadequate.
Plans to add an additional 2,300 square feet would double the hospital's current size. The renovations will include a new surgical suite and quarantine area.
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