Our Approach to Inclusion & Conservation
ZooHopper helps people discover zoos, aquariums, and other places to experience wildlife, and keep a record of the places they’ve visited. We want the directory to be equally useful to families planning a day out and to zoo enthusiasts documenting years of visits.
Building a thorough directory means including many kinds of facilities, from major zoos and aquariums to smaller wildlife parks, sanctuaries, and nature centers. They do not all have the same missions, resources, credentials, or approaches to animal care. We believe visitors should be able to learn what exists and make their own decisions about where to go and what to support.
What belongs on ZooHopper?
We generally include permanent places that the public can visit where seeing wild animals under human care is a meaningful part of the experience. This can include zoos, aquariums, safari parks, wildlife sanctuaries, reptile centers, aviaries, and nature centers with live animal exhibits.
A facility does not need to be large or have the word “zoo” in its name. We may also include places that offer public visits by appointment.
We do not include traveling animal shows, private collections closed to the public, places where animals are only incidental to another attraction, or facilities focused exclusively on domestic farm animals. Some destinations fall between these categories, and we review those individually.
A listing is not an endorsement
Being listed on ZooHopper does not mean we recommend visiting a facility or endorse its animal care, business practices, or conservation claims. A listing means the destination fits the scope of our directory. It also allows people to document a visit they’ve already made, even if their feelings about that experience are complicated.
ZooHopper does not inspect facilities or award animal welfare ratings. We may choose to feature certain destinations in videos, articles, or social posts, but that editorial choice is separate from whether a place qualifies for the directory.
Where we stand on conservation
We care about animals and believe responsible care, education, and meaningful conservation work matter. Zoos and aquariums play valuable roles in connecting people with wildlife and supporting efforts to protect species and habitats.
We also recognize that facilities vary widely. A name, marketing claim, or pleasant visitor experience cannot tell the whole story of how animals are cared for. That’s why we don’t present ZooHopper’s directory as a seal of approval. We encourage visitors to learn about a facility’s practices, credentials, and conservation work before deciding whether to support it.
When we show accreditation, we name the organization responsible for granting it. Accreditation is information visitors can consider; ZooHopper does not grant or replace it. The absence of an accreditation label on a ZooHopper listing should not be taken as a judgment about that facility.
A directory that keeps growing
Our directory is a work in progress. If a destination is missing, it may simply be one we have not added or reviewed yet. We also aim to preserve past visits when a facility closes, changes its name, or no longer appears in current trip searches—those visits are still part of someone’s story.
If you know of a destination we should consider, or spot information that needs correcting, please .