By giving an in-kind gift to Potawatomi Zoo through the Zoological Society, you can be recognized as a Zoo donor, qualify for a charitable deduction, and provide needed supplies and materials to the Zoo's many programs. Your assistance will contribute to the Zoo's mission while providing significant budget relief. Items should be new or in good condition.
We maintain a Zoo Wish List, which is also published in our newsletter, to let the community know some hard-to-find (or hard to purchase!) items that we need. If you are interested in contributing items that are on our wish list or would like to know if we need an item that you have (even if it's not on the Wish List), please contact us. And remember - gifts of goods are tax-deductible also!

A note from our Enrichment Committee: Don’t you enjoy watching your children play with a new toy? Isn’t it satisfying to see them learn, exercise and find new uses for that toy? The keepers here at Potawatomi Zoo feel the same way when we introduce a new toy or enrichment item to our animals. Enrichment is very important in zoos because it is items given to the animals that encourage natural behaviors, ward off boredom and allows them to just have fun. The keepers try to find new uses for children and pet toys, different foods and scents. We are asking for donations to the Potawatomi Zoo enrichment fund to help us help our animals lead long, healthy and fulfilling lives here at the zoo. If you would like to help, you can do so by two ways: 1) Donate money to our ENRICHMENT FUND that will be exclusively used on shopping trips to buy toys or food items for the animals 2) Donate enrichment items from our approved list.
The staff, as well as the animals, thanks you for your generosity!

Enrichment Wish List: (New items please!)
-Kongs (Any size)
-Dog toys, especially puzzle or treat dispensing
-Kiddie pools or plastic sand boxes
-Large horse toys and treats
-Small bird toys-Large bird toys (with no metal)
-Exotic nuts (unsalted and in shell)
-Deer or hunting scents, urine, bait etc.
-Wooden baby blocks
-Phone Books-Paper sacks, all sizes-Bells
-Rubber Balls
-Old radios/cd players and nature tapes/cds
-Sugar free food items (Splenda big bag, Jell-o, Kool-Aid)
-Plastic Shoe Organizers-Perfumes, Scents and body sprays
-Gift Cards to pet stores, Hobby Lobby, Menards or Wal-Mart
-Old holiday wreaths, especially the ones made from tree branching
-Empty wrapping paper tubes (or tubes with unwanted paper)
-Gift boxes and paper Gift bags
-Old Christmas lights, even ones that are partially working
-Scents and body sprays
-Old, clean Hunting decoys

Items we can’t use:-Rawhides-Dog and cat treats-No open food or fresh produce
**Any donations can be dropped off in the main office, admission booth, or society office.Thank You!!
Contact Marcy Dean at 574-288-4639 or at mdean@potawatomizoo.org to make an in-kind donation.