L.A. ZOO’S ‘BELOVED PETS OFRENDA’ RETURNS FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AND DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS

Co-Created with Plaza de la Raza, the Altar Offers a Space to Honor Pets That have Passed Away with Photos or Drawings Now Open Weekends Through Sunday, Nov. 3

Photos & Videos: CLICK HERE
(Credit: © Los Angeles Zoo)

LOS ANGELES, CA - Oct. 7, 2024 - For its fourth year, the Los Angeles Zoo and Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for the Arts & Education is hosting the 'Beloved Pets Ofrenda' in observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month and Día de los Muertos.

The Beloved Pets Ofrenda is designed to honor the memory of cherished animal companions that have passed away. All Zoo guests are welcome to print photos or draw pictures of their pets and place their images and mementos on the altar located at the Zoo's Front Entrance Plaza near Sea Life Cliffs.

"Over these last several years, the Zoo has been able to share the rich Hispanic heritage of Los Angeles with its guests by co-creating this special ofrenda with our friends from Plaza de la Raza," said Coral Barreiro, L.A. Zoo manager of community programs. "No matter your
background, grief surrounding the loss of a pet is a universal feeling, and I am proud that we get to share these deep experiences with our community and provide our guests with the space to honor their pets and learn more about the culture that makes up this amazing City."

An ofrenda, which means "offering" in Spanish, is an altar created to honor loved ones who have passed away. These ceremonial displays are a colorful mix of symbols, pictures, flowers, memorabilia, food, beverages, and other meaningful items, and all are an essential part of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
celebrations, which Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx cultures observe on Nov. 1 and 2. Community partnerships with organizations like Plaza de la Raza create amazing opportunities to recognize and celebrate the rich diversity of Los Angeles.

The 'Beloved Pets Ofrenda' won the noteworthy Association of Zoos & Aquariums' (AZA) Innovation in Education Award at the 2024 AZA Annual Conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in educational program design and their ability to promote conservation knowledge, attitudes and behavior, show innovation, and measure success.

The 'Beloved Pets Ofrenda' opened this weekend and is available each weekend through Sunday, Nov. 3 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., including Indigenous People's Day (Oct. 14). Zoo staff will be on-site during these times to print and assist guests with their photos. Zoo visitors can also bring their own printed photos and place them on the ofrenda on weekdays during zoo operating hours.

More information about the 'Beloved Pets Ofrenda' can be found on the Zoo's website at https://bit.ly/LAZooBelovedPetsOfrenda.

About the Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is dedicated to providing exemplary animal care and wellbeing. As a trusted leader in local and global conservation efforts, the Los Angeles Zoo is saving wildlife and connecting Angelenos to the natural world by delivering diverse learning opportunities and creating unforgettable experiences. The lush 133-acre campus and its passionate and dedicated team welcomes all to be inspired by the Zoo's vision to create a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together. The Zoo is located on Zoo Drive in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children ages 2 to 12. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L.A. Zoo website at www.lazoo.org.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.