Friends of the Topeka Zoo (FOTZ)

07/22/2021

05/11/2021

See you later alligator!

The Topeka Zoo and Friends of the Topeka Zoo have merged into one! With that recent change, we have decided that it would be best to leave this page in order to focus on the Topeka Zoo page instead. We greatly appreciate everyone who follows this page and we do not want to lose you! If you are not doing so already go follow to keep up to date on our animals, events, and more!

02/01/2021

The Topeka Zoo is happy to announce that we are once again open for birthday parties! Limited to a party of 10, you and your guests can hang out and eat cake while at the Zoo. Guests can even get the chance to visit some friends up close, with a number of behind the scenes options, your sure to have a unique birthday you’ll never forget.

For more information and pricing visit our website and submit a form request form: https://topekazoo.org/private-events/birthday-parties/

*behind the scenes are add on options.

01/06/2021

Be Seen!! If your company is interested in fun benefits and tons of exposure at the Topeka Zoo, consider becoming a Business Partner.

For more information about our 2021 opportunities, contact Shelby Revelle - [email protected]. 🐯

12/31/2020

We would like to take a moment and say thank you for all the generosity and support we have received from everyone this year. Though this year may have been difficult, thanks to the support from our community we’ve been able to accomplish so much. We were so happy have been able to remain open and provide a safe place for our community to enjoy!

Although what we have accomplished is amazing, we are just getting started. The year may be coming to an end but there is still a chance to show your love for the Topeka Zoo and donate by going to:

https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/Donation

See you all next year!

12/25/2020

From our family here at the Topeka Zoo, we want to wish you all happy holidays!

As a reminder we are closed today for our normal hours but will be open for Zoo Lights from 5:30 to 8 as an extra gift for all our guests.

12/05/2020

The event ends at 10 pm, and the only time slot open is 9:30 pm. We are open every evening until December 30th, but closed on Christmas Day. To keep the line moving, we don't sell any tickets at the gate. You will need to purchase online or during the day at the zoo between 9 am - 4 pm. We appreciate everyone coming out and supporting our Zoo Lights fundraiser! 🎅
Plan your visit now ➡️ https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/Admission

*masks must be worn at all times for ages 6 and older.

12/02/2020

🎄OPEN EVERY NIGHT UNTIL 12/30 🎄

❄ You must pre-purchase tickets in advance, either online or during the day, in the gift shop (9 am - 4 pm). We sell a limited amount of tickets to attend each night. You will need to pick your date and time in advance, because we won't be selling any at the door.
❄ Masks are required to be worn over the age of 6 indoors and outdoors at the Topeka Zoo.
❄ Consider planning a week night visit too, as the weekends reach the capacity limit quicker!

Tickets ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolights
More Info ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolightsinfo

12/01/2020

It's !

is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Here at the Topeka Zoo, we celebrate . This zoo wide holiday is about the impact zoos and aquariums have on their communities by engaging visitors to be stewards of the environment and save species from extinction. It’s also about how these institutions give back by mentoring their staff and volunteers to support a wide range of causes.

This year is focusing on the new future exhibit GIRAFFE AND FRIENDS! You can help pave the way (literally!) by donating or purchasing a personalized brick that will be featured on the giraffe pathway leading into the new facility.

Donations for as part of start TODAY!
By donating through facebook your contribution doubles!

To donate or purchase a brick visit https://topekazoo.org/support/givingzooday

11/28/2020

We are almost completely sold-out of Zoo Lights tickets tonight. The event ends at 10 pm, and the only time slot open is 9:30 pm. Plan your visit now! We are open every evening until December 30th.

Tickets ➡️ https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/Admission

11/27/2020

The elves have been working very hard to build this holiday village for Zoo Lights. Santa arrives tomorrow on opening night! 🎅🎄
❄ You must pre-purchase tickets in advance, either online or during the day, in the gift shop (9 am - 4 pm). We are selling a limited amount of tickets to attend each night. You will need to pick your date and time in advance, because we won't be selling any at the door.
❄ Masks are required to be worn over the age of 6 indoors and outdoors at the Topeka Zoo!

Tickets ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolights
More Info ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolightsinfo

11/25/2020

TWO DAYS until opening night. Who already has their tickets and is excited to attend?!🎄🎅

❄ You must pre-purchase tickets in advance, either online or during the day, in the gift shop (9 am - 4 pm). We are selling a limited amount of tickets to attend each night. You will need to pick your date and time in advance, because we won't be selling any at the door.
❄ Masks are required to be worn over the age of 6 indoors and outdoors at the Topeka Zoo!
Tickets ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolights
More Info ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolightsinfo

11/20/2020

We are ONE WEEK away from opening night. 🎄🎅
Make sure to pre-purchase tickets in advance, either online or during the day, in the gift shop. We are selling a limited amount of tickets to attend each night, so you will need to pick your date and time, and we won't be selling them at the door.
❄ masks are required to be worn over the age of 6 indoors and outdoors at the Topeka Zoo

Tickets ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolights
More Info ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolightsinfo

11/15/2020

Less than TWO weeks until Zoo Lights begins! Come out and enjoy this new magical holiday experience every evening from 11/27 - 12/30 (closed Christmas Day). Tickets are limited to stay under our restricted capacity and follow county guidelines. Masks will also be required to attend! ❄🎄🎅
Tickets ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolights
More Info ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/zoolightsinfo

11/12/2020

Happy Veteran's Day!! Thank you for your bravery, courage and willingness to fight for our country. 🇺🇸

While we were closed today, our elves were working really hard to prepare for Zoo Lights. It is going to be magical. We are only 16 days away from the opening night!! 🎅❄🎄

Do you have your tickets purchased yet? We encourage you to go online or stop by our gift shop ahead of time to guarantee a spot for the time and date you would like to visit. We are limiting tickets and following county guidelines to stay under our restricted capacity.
TICKETS ➡️ https://store.topekazoo.org/

11/06/2020

Are you all getting excited about Zoo Lights?! We have another big announcement to make!! We just added 12 special event dates to the calendar called Cookies with Mrs. Claus. Children will start by writing a letter to Santa, then enjoy cookies and cocoa while listening to storytime with Mrs. Claus, following that will be a fun ornament craft, and ending the event with meeting the pronghorns. 🍪🤶
Each event day runs from 10:30 am - 12 pm. You will need to pre-purchase your tickets ($20), and we will be limited to 20 kids each date! Masks are required to wear to go behind the scenes with the pronghorns.
➡️ https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/SpecialEvents/specialevent

11/02/2020

Are you still looking for a place to host your holiday party? The Topeka Zoo has options available that work with social distancing and create a unique experience that you won't forget. After all the fun, you can end the evening by adding on Zoo Lights tickets and enjoying the many lights, displays, and additional holiday festivities. Fill out the form linked below to inquire about our Camp Cowabunga and Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue spaces.

https://topekazoo.org/private-events/event-spaces/

11/01/2020

Get ready for this big announcement and cue the holiday music....Tickets for Zoo Lights are NOW on sale! November 27th begins 33 evenings of dazzling lights, displays, hot chocolate, and of course, Santa Claus. 🎅

TICKETS ➡️https://store.topekazoo.org/

❄ Adults - $8
❄ Kids - $6
❄ 2 & under is free
**FOTZ members receive $1 off per ticket, but must be logged into the member account or purchase at the zoo.

To stay within county guidelines and under our capacity limit, tickets will be sold in 30 minute intervals. You are not limited to time once inside the event, and can enjoy the many festivities with your friends and family.

10/30/2020

It has come to our attention that a page and event were created on Facebook, not by us for Zoo Lights. With tickets going on sale this Sunday, November 1st, we thought it would be good to highlight the best ways to get real information regarding this new experience that will be open for 33 evenings (November 27th - December 30th, except Christmas Day)!
The lights and displays are looking SO awesome. We can't wait for the holiday season festivities to begin. ☃️

- Topeka Zoo & Friends of the Topeka Zoo (FOTZ) pages
- Zoo Lights event page (click specifically on this link, so you don't go to the fake event)
- Our Website - https://topekazoo.org/zoolights/
- Ticket Online Store - https://store.topekazoo.org/ # or you can purchase in the gift shop (these go live 11/01)

10/28/2020

A big thank you to our business partner, Silver Lake Bank, for presenting us with a check for $1,847.95. If you are a customer at Silver Lake Bank, did you know that you can have a Topeka Zoo debit card featuring one of our Sumatran Tigers, and each time you run it as credit, the bank donates .05 back to our zoo! This amount is the total that has been raised from December 2019 to August 2020 because of over 400 amazing members actively using it.

It doesn't cost you a thing! You get a cute card, and when you swipe it the bank donates money. Stop by any branch or visit their website for more information. ➡️ https://www.silverlakebank.com/consumer/additional-consumer-services.

10/28/2020

LAST CALL for Zoo Lights sponsors! 🎄 This will be a magical experience like no other and a perfect new holiday tradition to add to the list. We are so thankful for the many community individuals and businesses that have played a significant role in this new exciting event.

Our sponsorship levels start at $500 all the way to having your name in ❄️LIGHTS❄️ at $10,000. If you have an interest, please reach out to Shelby Revelle for more information - [email protected].

event info ➡️ https://topekazoo.org/zoolights/

10/21/2020

We are SO excited about Zoo Lights!! There have been many volunteers, staff, and sponsors giving countless hours to prepare for this new holiday experience. Zoo Lights will begin on November 27th and be open every evening until December 30th, except Christmas Day. Tickets go on sale in November! ❄️

More information ➡️ https://topekazoo.org/zoolights/

10/15/2020

CONGRATS to our raffle winners and thank you to everyone that participated. Your items will be in the gift shop ready for pick-up between 9 am - 4:30 pm (excluding Saturdays). We are also sending off the Love Your Topeka Zoo shirt orders today! ❤

10/14/2020

THANK YOU to everyone that participated in our fundraiser Saturday and stayed with us during the technical issues. ❤

Every dollar helps us reach our goal of $100,000, we have raised a little over $40,000. We do have some exhibit sponsors left if you would like to have your name recognized by your favorite animal for the year 2021! If you haven't purchased a "Love Your Topeka Zoo" shirt, we ask that you consider doing so before shirt sales end tomorrow 10/15 at NOON. We also have some awesome items available that are available to purchase until tomorrow at noon.
➡️ fotzvirtual.givesmart.com

10/14/2020

Imagine your name in lights or displayed on a holiday scene. We can't wait for 33 magical evenings at the zoo! 🎄⛄️

Did you know that Zoo Lights begins NEXT MONTH on 11/27! There are some pretty big holidays to celebrate beforehand, but now is your last chance to become a sponsor for Zoo Lights as we add the finishing touches on the higher sponsorship levels.

If interested, contact ➡️
Shelby Revelle - [email protected] or 785-368-9133

10/11/2020

THANK YOU everyone for tuning in with us last night. 2020 is full of surprises and we appreciate you all being flexible with us, and our technology issues. ❤

** Auction items will be available for pick-up Monday - Friday at 9 am - 4:30 pm. You can enter through admissions or the gift shop. **

So far we have raised $40,000 out of our $100,000 goal! 🥳 We will pick the raffle winners and stop t-shirt sales (shirts will be ready in a few weeks after sending in the order) on Thursday 10/15 at NOON. We do have items with no bids that will also close on Thursday, and every dollar helps us reach our goal.

➡️ fotzvirtual.givesmart.com

Help Friends of the Topeka Zoo spread the word about Virtual Fall Fundraiser!

10/10/2020

- SPONSOR AN ANIMAL EXIBIT FOR 2021 -
We have 13 different animal exhibits that YOU can bid to have your name sponsored right on the glass for the entire year of 2021. This laminated body wrap will be 12" x 12" in size and will look perfect with your name featured by your favorite animal. 🐵🦁🐻🐯

Bids for each one start at $1,000 and is listed between #31 - #43 ➡️ fotzvirtual.givesmart.com.

10/10/2020

TOTAL UPDATE: $18,200!

TODAY is the day! Join us tonight on Facebook Live at 6:00 pm. Our goal is $100,000 and we are currently at $17,500!! Thank you to everyone participating in the bids, raffles and t-shirt sales!! 🍂❤🦁

BID NOW ➡️fotzvirtual.givesmart.com