The OKC Zoo & Botanical Garden and OKC Animal Welfare send this information as posted below:
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is teaming up with the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter for a trio of dog adoption events over the next three months, August through October, in hopes of connecting Oklahomans with new furry friends.
“Animals at the Zoo are not available for adoption…usually,” said OKC Zoo Executive Director and CEO Dwight Lawson. “We’re pleased to work with our friends at the OKC Animal Shelter and support their initiative, Alive in the 405 to help find new forever homes for dogs with three adoption events at the Zoo.”
As part of their Alive in the 405 awareness campaign, OKC Animal Welfare is asking the community to open their hearts and their homes to help find a positive outcome for every healthy, adoptable dog in its custody. With more than 400 adoptable dogs in the shelter, the shelter’s ability to respond to public safety concerns is limited.
“The Oklahoma City Zoo has always been a place where people connect with animals from around the world—and now, they’re helping connect local dogs with new families right here at home,” said Ronnie Schlabs, Superintendent, OKC Animal Welfare. “We’re incredibly thankful for their hospitality and heart. By opening their doors to our adoptable dogs, the Zoo is proving that whether it’s tigers or terriers, conservation and compassion go paw in paw.”
Dog adoption events at the OKC Zoo will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of the Zoo’s Rosser Conservation Education Center, located at the east end of the Zoo’s parking lot, on the following dates:
- Saturday, August 2, 2025
- Saturday, September 6, 2025
- Saturday, October 4, 2025
OKC Zoo admission is not required to attend the adoption events and parking is free.
Guests who want to visit the Zoo after adopting a dog may leave their new furry friend with the animal shelter team to pick up afterwards. Adoption fees are being waived and all adopted dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, dewormed, and current on age-appropriate vaccinations. While the adoption events will only include dogs, those seeking other pets can visit the OKC Animal Shelter, 2811 SE 29th St., from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. See all the adoptable animals at okc.gov/animalwelfare.
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s regular daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Now through Labor Day, ZOOfriends members can enter early at 8:30 a.m. to beat the heat. Avoid the entry lines and purchase advance Zoo admission tickets online at okczoo.org/tickets. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District.
Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Zoo more with a ZOOfriends membership! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission for 12-months, plus additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming, and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership.
Free Press curates press releases from organizations and people we know to be reputable. If you would like to submit a well-written press release for us to publish on our site, please click the email icon at the top of this page.
