Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital Tours

Schedule

Wed, 17 Nov, 2021 at 10:00 am to Sat, 28 Mar, 2026 at 11:00 am

UTC-08:00

Location

Oakland Zoo | Oakland, CA

Advertisement
Take your next Zoo visit to a whole new level by touring our state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital.
About this Event

Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital Tours

Tour our world-class veterinary hospital—a facility designed to accommodate animals at Oakland Zoo—from small birds and reptiles to large tigers and grizzly bears. This state-of-the-art facility features radiology and surgical suites, a small laboratory, a Ph*rm*cy, wide transportation docks, and LEED Gold certification.


Special Notes

The minimum age for children is five. While children five and above are welcome, please note that this is a tour of the Veterinary Hospital facility itself and animals will not be present unless they are under medical care. We will be focusing on the hospital’s structure, equipment, and medical/behavioral care available to support our resident, rescue, and releasable animals. Participants, ages 5-17, must be accompanied by an adult. (Ratio of adult to student TK-K: 1/6, grades 1-8: 1/8, Grades 9-12: 1/10)

Tours happen rain or shine, even if the Zoo is closed.

If you will be accompanied by a service dog, please email [email protected] to book a tour. More information in FAQs below.


Additional Information

  • Children must be at least 5 years old.
  • Maximum of 20 participants per tour.
  • Tours begin promptly at 10:00 am
  • Parking and Zoo Admission must be purchased separately.
  • Veterinary Hospital tour tickets are non-refundable.
  • You are welcome to take photographs of the outside of the Veterinary Hospital. Photographs are not permitted inside the hospital.


Frequently Asked Questions:



Will we see animals and procedures during the tour?

We cannot guarantee that you will see animals or procedures in the Veterinary Hospital as the needs of our animals change on a daily basis. The staff/Docents that lead Veterinary Hospital tours do not know which animals are at the Veterinary Hospital on any given day. We do show guests short video snippets of zoo animals undergoing medical exams or procedures.

Will we get to see animals in quarantine?

You will not get to see animals in quarantine as they are housed in a special area of the Veterinary Hospital so that they will not be exposed to any airborne germs. This is both for the animal's protection and the human's protection. You will see a video featuring many of the animals that have been treated at the hospital as part of your tour.

Will we get to touch any animals?

At Oakland Zoo we practice "protected contact" — that means that in most instances, there is a barrier between the animal and the human. This is for the animal's protection and the human's protection. The only animals that guests have the opportunity to touch at Oakland Zoo are the goats and sheep in the Petting Yard. The Petting Yard is located in the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children's Zoo.

Will we get to meet a Veterinarian?

You may be able to meet a veterinarian, or more often, you may have the opportunity to meet another member of the hospital team, however this is not guaranteed as the care of our animals is top priority.

Can I bring my service dog to the Vet Hospital?

If you will be accompanied by a service dog, please email [email protected] to book a tour.

Services dogs are permitted in certain locations within the Hospital. For the safety of our animals and in accordance with the American’s with Disabilities Act and the health standards governed by the Veterinary Medical Board, USDA and CDFW, all service dogs visiting the Hospital must be under the control of their handler on a 6 ft. or shorter leash, remain quiet, and have no appreciable signs of illness (coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea) within 24 hours.

Service dogs are not permitted to share any spaces with Zoo patients and as such will be limited to the lobby and hallways, with all treatment areas and the Ward excluded. If at any time the service dog barks, vocalizes or is not under the aforementioned control, the service dog and its handler will be required to end their tour and asked to leave the hospital.

Can we take photographs?

You are welcome to take photographs of the outside of the Veterinary Hospital. Photographs are not permitted inside the hospital.

Is Zoo admission or parking included in the Veterinary Hospital Tour?

Parking and Zoo Admission are paid for separately. They are not included in the tour fee.

How many children are allowed per adult?

We can accommodate up to 20 participants. Children age 5-17 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, with these adult-to-student ratios:

TK-K: 1/6

grades 1-8: 1/8

Grades 9-12: 1/10

What is the tour group size?

The tours can accommodate up to 20 participants.

Are refreshments permitted in the Veterinary Hospital?

Food and drink are not allowed inside the hospital.

What should I wear?

Please dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers.


For questions, please contact Launa Craig - [email protected] (Mondays and Tuesdays)

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 21.99 to USD 27.24

Oakland Zoo

Host or Publisher Oakland Zoo

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Oakland

The Bear Raid presented by Tightwad Hill - Show #49
Tue, 30 Sep at 08:00 pm The Bear Raid presented by Tightwad Hill - Show #49

Dimond District, Oakland, California

AIR-SHOWS
2025 FALL Salsamania ON1 | ON2 SALSA Series!!! starts ON1 9\/9 & ON2 9\/14!!!
Tue, 30 Sep at 08:00 pm 2025 FALL Salsamania ON1 | ON2 SALSA Series!!! starts ON1 9/9 & ON2 9/14!!!

Trilliant Studios

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT
Wet Leg at Fox Theater Oakland
Tue, 30 Sep Wet Leg at Fox Theater Oakland

Fox Theater Oakland

TRIPS-ADVENTURES ART
Wet Leg, mary in the junkyard in Oakland
Tue, 30 Sep at 08:00 pm Wet Leg, mary in the junkyard in Oakland

Fox Theater - Oakland

ART THEATRE
Family History Month 2025
Wed, 01 Oct at 10:00 am Family History Month 2025

2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, CA, United States, California 94612

\u2060Mindful Wellness Walk in Oakland
Wed, 01 Oct at 11:00 am ⁠Mindful Wellness Walk in Oakland

Awaken Cafe & Roasting

HEALTH-WELLNESS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Crafternoon for Kids\/ Manualidades para Ni\u00f1@s
Wed, 01 Oct at 02:00 pm Crafternoon for Kids/ Manualidades para Niñ@s

3301 E 12th St, Ste 271, Oakland, CA, United States, California 94601

KIDS ART
My Favorite Murder
Wed, 01 Oct My Favorite Murder

Paramount Theatre - Oakland

CONTESTS ART
Lake Merritt UMC Food Pantry
Sat, 25 Jan at 08:30 am Lake Merritt UMC Food Pantry

Lake Merritt United Methodist Church

NONPROFIT VOLUNTEERING
Lake Lunches
Mon, 01 Jun at 02:00 pm Lake Lunches

Lake Merritt United Methodist Church

NONPROFIT CONCERTS
Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital Tours
Wed, 17 Nov at 10:00 am Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital Tours

Oakland Zoo

NONPROFIT ART
#SambaChurch African-Brazilian Dance and Drum Community Classes
Sun, 03 Dec at 03:30 pm #SambaChurch African-Brazilian Dance and Drum Community Classes

Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts

WORKSHOPS MUSIC
500 Club Presents: HIIT & Run
Sat, 06 Jan at 11:00 am 500 Club Presents: HIIT & Run

Snow Park

WORKSHOPS NONPROFIT
FLUID Open Mic
Thu, 15 Feb at 07:00 pm FLUID Open Mic

7th West

OPEN-MIC ART
13 Orphans Presents: Mahjong Night (coaching)
Sat, 06 Apr at 06:00 pm 13 Orphans Presents: Mahjong Night (coaching)

Baba's House

NONPROFIT CALENDAR
13 Orphans presents:Legacy Day
Wed, 10 Apr at 06:00 pm 13 Orphans presents:Legacy Day

Baba's House

WORKSHOPS
Industry Mix Wednesday's at Sobre Mesa
Wed, 04 Sep at 05:30 pm Industry Mix Wednesday's at Sobre Mesa

Sobre Mesa

ART THEATRE
Queer Bedtime Stories @ The Dreamery
Thu, 17 Oct at 07:30 pm Queer Bedtime Stories @ The Dreamery

The Dreamery, San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA

ART LITERARY-ART
Pure Beauty Trivia  at Root'd in the 510
Thu, 19 Dec at 06:00 pm Pure Beauty Trivia at Root'd in the 510

4444 Telegraph Ave

NONPROFIT FIRST-FRIDAY
Sat, 04 Jan at 11:30 am 2025 The City Eats Oakland Volunteer Sign Up

Oakland Meeting Location ONLY - Look for the BLACK "GOOD PEOPLE" VAN

What's Happening Next in Oakland?

Discover Oakland Events