Phoenix Zoo receives $500,000 donation for new veterinary medical center

The Phoenix Zoo recently received a $500,000 grant to help fund a new state-of-the-art veterinary medical center.

Jun 16, 2025, 1:01 PM

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PHOENIX — The Phoenix Zoo recently received a $500,000 grant to help fund a new state-of-the-art veterinary medical center.

The donation, which completed what began as a $6.2 million campaign, was given by WM Phoenix Open hosts, Thunderbirds Charities, according to the Phoenix Zoo.

“We are grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for their leadership and generosity,” Bert Castro, President and CEO of the Phoenix Zoo said in a statement.

“Their support helps ensure we remain at the forefront of animal health and wellness, and their investment in our future will positively impact generations of animals, students and Zoo guests.”

Details on Phoenix Zoo veterinary medical center

The more than 27,000-square-foot center will replace the zoo’s Joyce Corrigan Memorial Care Center, which has been in use for more than five decades.

Construction on the center began in May. It will include advanced medical equipment, expanded treatment and expanded hospital care areas.

The Phoenix Zoo will be equipped with a CT scanner, which is a rare perk for zoology facilities.

The clinic will serve the zoo’s animals, including endangered species, while providing education, veterinary training and community engagement.

The veterinary medical center will be located along the zoo’s outer Africa Trail near the Arthur L. and Elaine V. Johnson Conservation Center.

The zoo works in collaboration with Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, Midwestern University Zoological Medical Institute and JoEllen and Philip Doornbos Veterinary Student Center, which are connected to The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Animal Care & Conservation Campus.

The veterinary clinic is scheduled to be completed in fall 2026.