Pizza Pizza to donate $250,000 to new Toronto Zoo centre

June 2, 2015, Toronto – Pizza Pizza Limited will contribute $250,000 to the Toronto Zoo’s new Wildlife Health Centre.

“The centre is one of the most important facilities at the zoo where a team of veterinarians, animal health technicians, reproductive physiologist, reproductive research assistants and wildlife care staff work together to ensure the highest quality of animal health care, reproductive research, and conservation initiatives,” the Toronto Zoo said in a joint news release with Pizza Pizza.

“On behalf of the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, staff, volunteers and 5,000 animals, I want to thank Pizza Pizza for their ongoing support over the years and for their significant financial contribution to this project,” said John Tracogna, chief executive officer of the Toronto Zoo. “We have had a long-standing relationship with Pizza Pizza and their donation towards this critical project will have a direct impact on our continued efforts to ensure the ongoing survival of many of the worlds’ most vulnerable and endangered species.”

“The Toronto Zoo is a special part of our community and the new Wildlife Health Centre is an initiative that we are proud to support,” said Paul Goddard, Pizza Pizza president and chief executive officer. Our investment in the WHC helps to ensure the zoo can provide top notch health care for animals and support those who care for them.”

The original health centre structure was built in 1974 and construction on the new facility started in early 2015. The new 30,000-square-foot Wildlife Health Centre design includes sustainable construction techniques, materials and technology. The centre will house a fully functioning animal hospital (complete with operating room, x-ray suite, and laboratory), reproductive research laboratories, various multi-purpose animal holding areas, and quarantine wing.

The project began construction in early 2015 and will be completed in 2016/2017.