Point Defiance AAZK

Join DFC for our first ever partnership event with The Coaster in Puyallup!

On June 17th from 6pm to 9pm a dollar of every Sea Shells cocktail and flight will be donated to support our beautiful Washington coast through Washington CoastSavers . We can't wait to see you there!

It's time to register for our 2026 Owl Together Now fundraising run!

When? Saturday, July 25th, 2026 from 6:30-9 pm at Point Defiance Park, with both 3-mile and 1-Mile options! The routes are stroller and family friendly.

We're also thrilled to continue our partnership with Parks Tacoma and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium! This evening event will take place at Point Defiance Park, racing through 5-mile drive and finishing up the last bit of the course through the Point Defiance Zoo.

A portion of the proceeds from Owl Together Now go to the Point Defiance AAZK General Fund to support animal and habitat conservation, professional development for keepers and support staff, our impending 2026 national conference (!) and help finance other AAZK events.

Can't make it? Support us by buying this year's Owl Together Now swag!

To register or purchase swag follow the links in our linktree!

https://linktr.ee/pointdefianceaazk

We're excited to announce our Travel & Treasures Auction! The auction will run through Sunday, May 31st. All proceeds from this auction will go towards supporting the 2026 AAZK National Conference.

The “Treasures” part of our auction has some special prints from PDZA animals, as well as a few other art gems and some vintage zoo patches for the history buffs out there.

The “Travel” part has photo safari packages to the Zulu Nyala Game Reserve in South Africa. These packages are for two people and are being offered at a “buy it now” price of $3500 but have a market value of about $7,995 – you will not find a better value on an African safari!

View the full roster of items (more will be added throughout the next week) and start bidding check out the link below!

https://www.32auctions.com/54000526

We're happy to announce that the annual Bowling for Rhinos pin decorating contest will be back again . . . with a few fun new twists! This year we will be timing the pin decorating contest to coincide with hosting the 51st Annual National AAZK conference right here in Tacoma this September. We figured this fundraiser (and everyone’s art) is way too cool to keep all to ourselves, so why not share it with American Association of Zoo Keepers members from all over the country!

Also new this year – an opportunity to “sponsor” a pin! Want to help save rhinos but feel like you don’t have an artistic bone in your body? That’s probably not true, but you can choose to purchase a pin and we’ll work to match it with a willing person who can provide the artistic flair.

Decorated pins will be displayed at the AAZK conference so that attendees can participate in voting for their favorites, and any pins not requested to be returned to the artists will be included in the AAZK conference auction to raise funds that support our local AAZK chapter.

Let’s get this contest rollin’ . . . and make 2026 a pin-sanely good fundraising year for rhino conservation! Follow the link below to register for your pin. Registration closes June 15th!

https://tr.ee/4VWR9dmuGk

With about 12 hours left to vote, the race is really close! Please vote for your favorites and help us reach our goal. Thanks!

Vote for Texas Chainsaw Meowssacre in Point Defiance AAZK 2026 PET PAGEANT "Springtime Fun!". Show your support for Point Defiance American Association of Zoo Keepers by voting for Texas Chainsaw Meowssacre in Point Defiance AAZK 2026 PET PAGEANT "Springtime Fun!"

Keep those votes coming and remember funds raised go towards the 2026 National AAZK Conference in Tacoma, Washington this September!

Vote for Gus in Point Defiance AAZK 2026 PET PAGEANT "Springtime Fun!". Show your support for Point Defiance American Association of Zoo Keepers by voting for Gus in Point Defiance AAZK 2026 PET PAGEANT "Springtime Fun!"