Become a Member!
"Where your family meets our family"
The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is home to over 70 different species of animals and is maintained by students enrolled in the college’s premier Zoo Animal Technology Program. The SF Teaching Zoo highlights a diverse collection that contains both native and exotic species for everyone to enjoy!
As a member, you are free to visit the SF Teaching Zoo as often as you would like all year long! It is a great way to save money while making priceless memories. Membership includes free admission as well as invitations to exclusive members-only events throughout the year.
Membership is a great way for your family to meet ours and it benefits the whole zoo! As a member, you help support our day-to-day needs for animal care and 10 percent of your membership cost goes directly to conservation!
Download the membership application
Applications can be emailed to zoo@sfcollege.edu, dropped off at the ticket window, or mailed to:
SF Teaching Zoo
3000 NW 83rd St.
Gainesville, FL 32606
Membership Levels
$30 Individual
- Admits one named adult
$55 Couples **New membership level as of August 2021!
- Admits two named adults
$65 Family of 4
- Admits two named adults and two named* children (ages 4-17), or
- Admits one named adult and three named* children (ages 4-17)
$85 Family of 5
- Admits two named adults and three named* children (ages 4-17), or
- Admits one named adult and four named* children (ages 4-17)
Optional Add-On Categories
- Additional adult member - $20/adult (e.g. nanny, grandparent)
**Available for either family membership. - Additional child member - $15/child (ages 4-17)
**Available for Family of Five membership
Children 3 and under receive free admission and can visit with any Zoo Member!
*Adult named on card must accompany all named children under 16 at all times
All Membership Levels Include:
- Free admission for one year for named members
- $1 off admission discounts for accompanying guests
- Early entry to Boo at the Zoo - skip the line!
- 10 percent discounts on the following activities:
- Birthday parties
- Zookeeper for a day
- Gift shop merchandise
- Animal encounters
- Occasional extended hour days (8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
- 50 percent reciprocity with other AZA zoos and aquariums
- Quarterly newsletters
- Members-only events throughout the year
Membership Terms
Because of communication and special events, a family membership is limited to one household.
Membership is non-refundable and non-transferable**. Misuse may result in forfeiture. Membership prices and benefits are subject to change.
** In the event of military deployment or death – we will allow the named adult member affected to transfer to another family member. No refunds will be issued.
Members must abide by the standard code of conduct for the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo to ensure the safety and well-being of our members, guests, employees and students. Violation may result in the suspension, cancellation and/or revocation of membership.
All individuals entering the SF Teaching Zoo with a membership agree not to commercially use any photography or recordings in any form taken at the SF Teaching Zoo and grants permission to the SF Teaching Zoo and the college to use their images and/or sound recordings for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity.
When using your membership card or guest privileges, one of the named adults on the card must be present for admittance.
You will be asked to show your photo ID along with your digital membership card at the ticket window.
The membership will be good for one year from the month you signed up.
Children listed on a Family Membership must live in the household with the primary adult member.
* Named Adults – Adult members must be 18 years or older. Adult members must present valid photo ID along with membership card in the adults name to gain admission to the SF Teaching Zoo. For membership purposes only, guests may be listed as children if they are under 18.
* Named Children – Must be listed on membership. All children ages 16 and under must be accompanied by a named adult on the membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I purchase a membership?
Memberships can be purchased at the ticket window at the SF Teaching Zoo between the hours of 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Alternatively, download the application and mail to Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, Attn: Membership, 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606.
How do I get my membership card?
We have switched to a digital system, and your membership card is accessed online. When you sign up, you will be sent an email to give you access to the membership portal.
Visit sftz.aluvii.com/guest to log into the portal, and find your digital card. You can take a screenshot of it so it's always readily accessible on your phone! You can also print out a copy if you would prefer a physical copy.
If you would like a physical card, please email zoo@sfcollege.edu to request cards for any named adult on your membership. The first card is free. If you lose this card and would like a replacement, there is a $5 charge.
Who can use my membership?
Only named adults with photo ID and named children can use the membership.
* Children 3 and under are free and can come along with any Zoo Member!
When does my membership begin?
Your membership begins the day you sign up and will be valid for a year from the end of the month.
For example: If you purchased a membership on July 16, 2018, it would be valid 07/16/2018 - 07/31/2019.
When does my membership expire?
One year from the purchase month – see above.
Why do I have to show photo ID with my membership card?
All named adults present must show photo ID upon entering the SF Teaching Zoo to prevent misuse of memberships. As a non-profit organization, we rely greatly on membership and admission revenue for support. If families and friends shared memberships, we would not be able to support the zoo as effectively. Not only does requiring an ID protect the value of all memberships, but it also protects you if your card is ever lost or stolen.
The other adult named on my membership card is unable to come with me. May I bring a guest in their place?
Only those adults named on your membership may use the membership card; however you receive a $1 discount for accompanying guests.
Do you offer discounts for seniors, students or military?
Not for membership prices. There are discounts for general daily admission. All Santa Fe College students and staff have access to the SF Teaching Zoo for free with Santa Fe College ID.
What discounts does my membership include?
- $1 off for accompanying guests when you show your membership card
- 10 percent discounts on birthday parties, Zookeeper for a Day, gift shop merchandise, and animal encounters.
- 50 percent - 100 percent reciprocity with other AZA zoos and aquariums – see AZA list
Do members have early admittance?
Members will be allowed early admittance on select days and for select events during the year. Keep an eye out for information about those days in the quarterly newsletter you will receive as a member.
If I decide to join during my visit, can I apply my general admission to a membership?
We will apply the cost of your daily admission to the cost of your membership. If you paid with a credit card, you must present your receipt in order to process. This is only applicable for the day you visited the zoo.
I purchased my membership a few months ago and haven’t used it. Can I get an extension for the time it wasn’t used?
While we wish members could visit all the time, we cannot assign credit for time the membership was not used.
I plan to leave town for an extended period, can I put my membership on hold?
Unfortunately, we are unable to place temporary freezes or holds on memberships.
I am no longer able to use my membership; can I transfer the remaining months on my membership to a friend or family member?
Memberships are non-transferable. In the event of military deployment or death, the affected adult named may transfer the membership to another named family member.
How do I update my contact information on my membership?
Log into the online membership portal at sftz.aluvii.com/guest or send an email with your request to zoo@sfcollege.edu
Reference Membership Information Change in the subject line.
My child wants to come to the SF Teaching Zoo without me; can I give them my card?
No. One of the named adults on the account must be present in order for the children listed to visit. If a named child is 16-17, they may attend by themselves as long as they present the membership card and photo ID.