Mounds of Money Raised for Henry Vilas Zoo

August 02, 2011
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 843-8858
County Executive

Pet Food Warehouse Stores Employees, Customers, Team Up to Support Animals

This spring, Mounds Pet Food Warehouse stores collected donations for Henry Vilas Zoo’s animal enrichment program.  During the month of April, Mounds staff raised over $18,000 which will be used to purchase new toys and enrichment materials for the zoo’s animals, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced.  

 

“We are so appreciative of the effort put forth by Mounds Pet Food Warehouse, its employees, and its customers,” said Parisi.  “Henry Vilas Zoo remains one of the few free zoos in the country – community efforts like this one help us ensure quality care for our animals and a top notch facility for families to enjoy.”

 

During the promotion, Mounds stores held a competition between employees at their 5 area locations.  Mounds Madison East raised the most donations and as a result of their hard work, won a behind the scenes tour of Henry Vilas Zoo.  The tour included a giraffe meet and greet, a rhino encounter, special enrichment treats for zoo animals, and a behind the scenes look at several other zoo animal care areas.
 

Last fall, Mounds management came up with the idea for the fundraising event and employee contest when they toured the zoo and got to learn about animal enrichment first hand.  The Henry Vilas Zoo has been working with Mounds for over a year, collecting donated pet products that zoo staff uses to enhance the lives of the zoo’s residents. Since last April, the Henry Vilas Zoo has received more than 375 donated toys from Mounds customers. 

 

Henry Vilas Zoo enrichment coordinator, Jennifer Zuehlke notes, “The donated toys are an important part of our animal enrichment program and we are thrilled and grateful for such generous community support through Mounds.” 
 

Although the fundraising event is over, Mounds customers can still visit each store’s zoo displays, and pick out zookeeper approved toys to donate to the zoo.  

 

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