AZA Member Resources for COVID-19

Industry and operations resources, including USDA resources, from the ZAHP Fusion Center.

Educational resources and live online events can be added on our public page.

Communications Resources (Dropbox) including resources for reaching out to legislators, and communications toolkits.

There are several AZA Network Groups available to members and non-members:

COVID-19 Resource Group (open to all, an AZA web account needed)
Reopening (open to AZA Professional members, as well as Commercial, Conservation and Society Partner members)

AS well as several closed groups that are having valuable discussions (these require employment at an AZA-accredited facility or AZA professional membership):

All Hazards Response
Ambassador Animals
Finance
Human Resources
Marketing
Public Relations/Communications
Social Media
Volunteer Management

The PMC, APM Committee, and others have compiled a resource for managing animal populations during this time period.

Legislative Update

Congress and the White House have worked together to enact an emergency supplemental appropriations bill that provided $8.4 billion for COVID-19 public health system response as well as the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act.” Its provisions expanding sick and family leave and unemployment insurance will be helpful to all members with fewer than 500 employees. Additionally, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,” signed into law by the president on March 27^th, is very consequential for our community.

AZA worked closely with the American Alliance of Museums and other related associations to develop an estimate of the impact that closures and a reduction of operations are having on the collective “museum community.” On March 18th, we sent a joint letter requesting $4 billion in relief funding. We sent a follow-up letter on April 6^th supporting several priorities including extending and expanding the Paycheck Protection Program and supplemental relief funding. On May 15^th, several museum organizations submitted comments to the Small Business Administration about the Paycheck Protection Program. On June 22^nd, comments were submitted to the Fed about the Main Street Lending Program. On July 13^th, several organizations sent a joint letter to House and Senate leadership supporting key priorities for zoos, aquariums, and museums.

Please share our Action Alert in AZA’s Legislative Education Center regarding fiscal stimulus legislation with your audiences to deliver a targeted message to your Members of Congress supporting our financial request.

Advocacy and Social Media Resources

Action Alert in AZA’s Legislative Education Center

Consider a @mention to your legislators in the messages below:

Do you love [your zoo/aquarium's star animal]? Help them! Ask Congress to include aquariums and zoos in the next round of emergency relief funding to continue our work to save wildlife. bit.ly/HelpZoosAndAquariums #HelpZoos #HelpAquariums

Our work of conservation, education, and providing specialized care for our animals never ends. Make your voice heard to help zoos and aquariums survive these difficult times. bit.ly/HelpZoosAndAquariums #helpzoos #HelpAquariums Please RT.

Tell Congress we need help to care for our amazing animals, keep our wonderful staff, and continue wildlife rescue and recovery. We know we can count on champions like you to make some noise. Contact leaders now! bit.ly/HelpZoosAndAquariums #helpzoos #HelpAquariums