The cost of two zoos

**kittykatstrong** · 05-11-2009, 12:27 AM

I have two zoos close to me. One is free but 25 miles away and the other one is only 6 miles away but costs $15 per adult and $8 per child. If I buy a household membership it is $95. I was trying to figure out if we should buy the membership or keep going to the free one?

If we go to the closer one more then 3 times it pays for its self so I might just get a membership.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 05-11-2009, 12:47 AM

Well, I think you need to sit down and evaluate if you really are going to go to the closer one atleast three times to make it worth it. If not, I would go to the free one. HTH!

**justpeachy92** · 05-11-2009, 07:25 AM

I would base my decision on what activities our offered at each zoo. When we were Tampa we liked the trick-or treat at the zoo, and they had a breakfast with the animals thing. That allowed for the kids to help feed them. They had sleep over things there too, however we never did that. Those are things your kids might really like. So if they were offered at the zoo you pay f, but not the free zoo. I would get the membership.

**pryor208** · 05-11-2009, 12:48 PM

How nice is the closer one? Are there activities/events for your family that you would go to? If you only go to the further zoo because it's free right now, and distance/time isn't an issue...i'd personally save the $95 for something else, like gas money for trips to the free zoo.

On the other hand, if I lived by a giant zoo like the one in San Diego and could afford it, I'd have an annual pass in a heartbeat, but I love the zoo lol.

**frugal.lass** · 05-11-2009, 01:21 PM

Maybe look into the conservation, captive breeding and study programs each zoo offers (not to the public, I'm referring to the contributions they make to conservation efforts in the wild). If the one zoo charges a fee because they are more involved in learning about animals in order to protect them in the wild...they deserve to be supported for their work. Also, the conditions the animals are kept in deserves to be considered...you wouldn't want to choose the free zoo if it turns out its free because the animals are mistreated or kept in inappropriate housing.

Have you googled the two zoos to see what info is available online?

**kittykatstrong** · 05-11-2009, 02:04 PM

I learned that the membership is tax deductible. So it looks like I will be going with that one. Thanks everyone for help thinking it through.

**bluedog** · 05-11-2009, 05:52 PM

How in the world could a zoo be free-who pays for the animal food and care? I am a zoo docent and cannot imagine how such a thing could be-and maintain any kind of standard of care. Are they approved by the AZA?

**imagine** · 05-11-2009, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by bluedog

How in the world could a zoo be free-who pays for the animal food and care? I am a zoo docent and cannot imagine how such a thing could be-and maintain any kind of standard of care. Are they approved by the AZA?

Not sure about the original poster's zoo
But
My local zoo is free. They wanted it to be available to all. so it stays free.

I thought it received some city tax money put I can't verify that.. People can buy memberships (Friend of the zoo) if they want , doesn't get you any additional privileges to our zoo just a feel good type of thing. They are an accredited zoo so the membership does get you discounts or free admittance to other accredited zoos. The zoo is part of the endangered animal breeding program, not sure if they make any money off that or not. They also have some week long day camps in the summer that cost some, although my son was given a scholarship to go so that was free for him as well. They also have a list of supplies and animal enrichment activity items you can donate.

**Missourimom** · 05-12-2009, 02:23 AM

I'm a St.Louis county resident and our taxes pay for our "free" zoo. Everyone else gets to enjoy it for free though, but I think there is talk about charging non residents a fee.