Donations at work

Barnyard Project

Barnyard Project – Phase 1: Foundation and Path

Completed: Fall 2016

Friends Contribution: $134,000

The Barnyard Experience project was an exciting opportunity to provide a safe and comfortable forever home for rescued farm animals including Gus (the draft horse), Dasher (the miniature horse), Hallie and Rosie (the miniature donkeys), and Ernie (the Zebu). Additional rescues will come to live at the barn in the future.

The Barnyard Experience will also help us to further the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary mission of teaching responsible behavior toward all animals through interactive and fun learning opportunities for visitors of all ages.

This Phase of the project was the completion of the cement foundation and pathway leading from the canid deck to the new barn.

Barnyard Experience plaque

Aviary Project

aviary

Project: Aviary Reconstruction and Relocation

Completed: April 2011

Friends Contribution: $44,000  (total project est. $106,000)

The Aviary enclosure was one of the oldest exhibits in the zoo. This remodel was essential to improve the lives of the zoo birds. This project was meant to address a multitude of issues that the old enclosure had. The new exhibit mitigates the problems with the old enclosure and also provides privacy for the birds.

Lastly, this project was created to improve the habitat while at the same time move the enclosure to improve the accessibility of the area. The remodel of this exhibit addresses an integral part of the zoo’s ADA plan.

After many months of planning and approvals groundbreaking took place in mid-November 2010 and the project reached completion in late April 2011. This project was funded in part through the generosity of the Bosack Kruger Foundation.

Food for the Animals 2011

Project: Food for all the animals

Completed: 2010-2011

Friends Contribution: $60,000

The local economy and fiscal crisis during these years was hard on the zoo. Necessary budget cuts by the City of Folsom resulted in decreased funding, a reduced staff, and program cutbacks / eliminations. The FRIENDS is dedicated to helping mitigate these circumstances and has agreed to support the zoo and the city by supporting the food line item of the Zoo’s annual budget for the next year.

We cannot allow the increasing pressure of our economy to force such a regional treasure to fall into disarray when there are so many animals that need our help. Your support will continue to keep the animals well fed and healthy. Thank you for your support!

Making diets (ZFB 2015)

Canine Pool


Canine Pool 8-16-14 (ZFB)

Project: Canine Pool

Completed: January 2011

Friends Contribution: $15,000

(Wendy P. McCaw Foundation Grant)

Thanks to a generous donation from the Wendy P. McCaw Foundation we secured funding to construct a water feature and keeper walkway for Phase II of the Wild Canine Exhibit.

This pool will provide a cool sanctuary in the warm months of summer and a refreshing oasis throughout the year.

Food for the Animals 2010

Project: Food for all the animals

Completed: 2009-2010

Friends Contribution: $60,000

The local economy and fiscal crisis during these years was hard on the zoo. Necessary budget cuts by the City of Folsom resulted in decreased funding, a reduced staff, and program cutbacks / eliminations. The FRIENDS is dedicated to helping mitigate these circumstances and has agreed to support the zoo and the city by supporting the food line item of the Zoo’s annual budget for the next year.

We cannot allow the increasing pressure of our economy to force such a regional treasure to fall into disarray when there are so many animals that need our help. Your support will continue to keep the animals well fed and healthy. Thank you for your support!

Diets (ZFB 2016)

Zoo Operation Center Project

5-29-21 zoo ops

Project: Zoo Operation Building

Completed: Fall 2008

Friends Contribution: $100,000

In support of a new Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary Operations Center, FFZS contributed $100,000 towards the construction of the new facility. In addition to needed space for zoo staff, the center houses a new kitchen equipped with a large walk-in freezer & refrigerator, and ample space for food preparation & storage.

Rabbit-Chicken Project

Project: Rabbit & Chicken Exhibit

Completed: Summer 2008

Friends Contribution: $6,000

Construction of the tiger expansion area required the resident rabbits and chickens to move. Since that time they have been housed in various areas around the zoo. This exhibit was designed especially for these popular animals and became their permanent home. Basalite of Dixon, California generously donated the beautiful retaining blocks that will separate these two residences.

Most recently, this exhibit housed Sam, the raven.

5-29-21 Rabbit chicken 2

Wild Canine Project – Phase 2

Wolf Hybrids-rainy day 2018 (ZFB)

Project: Wild Canine Exhibit Phase 1 & 2

Completed: Summer 2007

Friends Contribution: $250,000

The wolf-dog hybrids were able to move into their new home in June 2007. These beautiful canines had previously been housed in one of the oldest exhibits at the zoo sanctuary, sharing 750 square feet of space. Their new facility is 4,730 square feet of oaks, grass and an efficient, state of the art, night house area. A water feature is being designed and will be added in the near future. Their old home was upgraded and repurposed.

Tiger Expansion Project

Project: Tiger Exhibit Expansion

Completed: Spring 2007

Friends Contribution: $140,000

When Misty and Pouncer first arrived in Folsom, rescued from an incredibly abusive situation, FFZS provided $3,500 to upgrade their space to a tiger-safe home. Though legally adequate for tigers, no one affiliated with the zoo sanctuary was happy to keep such large creatures in this limited space. Friends immediately started fundraising to expand the exhibit and double the room for these amazing felines. The expansion area, opened in January 2007, provides not only more room, but natural dirt floor, platforms and a tunnel access to both areas.

5-29-21 Tiger expansion 1

Feral Cat Project

5-29-21 Reptile House 1

Project: Feral Cat Exhibit

Completed: Fall 2006

Friends Contribution: $25,000

During his life, Robert Bauder cared for many feral cats at his home. In his estate he provided funds so that his special felines would have a safe place to stay. This gift made it possible to build a small house and refurbish an adjacent enclosure. Donations from Moldings & Millworks and many others helped to complete this project. Ten feral cats and two adoptable kitties arrived in December 2006. The feral cat exhibit continued to house these cats for their lifetime.

Now, the small house has been repurposed as a new Reptile House.  The adjacent enclosure now houses the California Desert Tortoise.

BE Storage Project

Project: Behavioral Enrichment Storage

Completed: TBD

Friends Contribution: $6,150

Enrichment is a big part of the care for all residents at the zoo sanctuary.  All animals receive interesting and unique additions every day. Purchasing such items and providing storage for them is an important part of Friends’ fundraising efforts. General donations were used to purchase and set up a storage unit at the Black Bear Exhibit, dedicated to the late Lee Houts. (Lee was a pioneer in this area of animal care and championed the idea of enrichment for animals.) A small cabinet was also constructed at the macaw exhibit and an individual donation provided for a storage shed used for the smaller parrots.

Enrichment Storage

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