Charity Navigator 4-star rating

You Can Make a Difference

The Adopt a Species program helps support the care of 2,000 animals at the National Zoo and its Conservation and Research Center. Adopt a Species also makes a great gift for a great cause. Now available: special African Lion and Bald Eagle packages.

1. Learn about the species you want to adopt.
Animal names link to information about the species and how the Zoo works to protect them.

2. Decide what level of adoption you want.
An asterisk (*) indicates a plush animal is available at the $65 level and above. A giant panda plush will be substituted if a species plush is temporarily unavailable. See more benefits.

3. Order online or PDFprint the mail-in form.

Kids' ADOPT

A special way for kids to become involved in helping save endangered giant pandas by supporting conservation and science programs at the Zoo and in China! link tomore

Adopt a Species today
link toOrder online using our secure server, or print and mail your order.

With a $40 contribution, you will receive:

  • a color photo and fact sheet of your animal, and
  • a personalized certificate to show your support for wildlife.
Additional benefits are offered at each of the available Adopt a Species levels: link toBenefit details by level

  • $40
  • $65
  • $100
  • $250
  • $500
  • $1,000

Adopt for yourself, a relative, or a friend. Adopt a Species makes a one-of-a-kind present for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, holidays, or other special occasions. Commemorate any special occasion with the gift that supports the future of wildlife.

International Orders and P.O. Boxes
Unfortunately, due to the high cost of postage, we are not able to fulfill orders outside of the United States and Canada. There are many other ways you can support the National Zoo's conservation efforts.

We use FedEx to send Adopt packages at and above the $65 level. However, we are unable to ship orders via FedEx to P.O. boxes in the United States—these packages will be sent via USPS.

Orders will be processed and shipped for arrival within approximately seven to ten business days.

Please note: FONZ membership is not a benefit of adopting a species.

Questions? Email us.

Page Controls