ZOO ATLANTA ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF THE ROLLINS ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER

State-of-the-art complex creates a center of excellence for veterinary medicine, technology, and academic collaboration

ATLANTA – October 31, 2024 – Zoo Atlanta is proud to announce the completion of The Rollins Animal Health Center, a state-of-the-art new veterinary complex that will redefine standards of excellence in zoological animal medicine, scientific research, and academic partnerships. The facility is named in recognition of The Gary W. Rollins Foundation’s generous investment of $3 million in the project and long history of Zoo support.

The complex signifies the culmination of Zoo Atlanta’s successful Care, Conserve, Connect capital campaign, which raised just over $21 million, and represents a notable demonstration of support from the philanthropic community. In addition to the gift from The Gary W. Rollins Foundation, donations of $1 million or more included gifts from Lettie Pate Evans Foundation; Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; A Friend of the Zoo; The Marcus Foundation; The Sara Giles Moore Foundation; and The Zeist Foundation.

The project’s Joint General Contractors are Turner Construction Company and FS360, with architectural design by Torre Design Consortium, Ltd. The complex has a built-in goal of achieving LEED Gold Certification.  

Features of the 17,000 square-foot complex include dedicated laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, treatment, and surgical suites; a CT scanner; interior and exterior animal holding dens and a food preparation kitchen; five animal quarantine dens with dedicated care team member access and dedicated food preparation areas; and office and conference space for the Veterinary Team. The facility also includes a necropsy suite. A second floor features two bedrooms, restrooms and laboratory working space. The bedrooms will allow the Veterinary Team to expand the Zoo’s veterinary internship program by providing housing to participating students and hosting visiting scientists. Thanks to enhanced technology, Zoo Atlanta looks forward to remote learning capabilities not previously possible with its veterinary program.

“The Rollins Animal Health Center is Zoo Atlanta’s newest phase of transformation. We are thrilled to see our world-class Veterinary Team in a facility that allows them to fully inhabit their reputation for excellence in zoo animal medicine,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “These facilities not only exemplify the team’s expertise and commitment, but they also build the team’s capacity as they provide outstanding, skilled care for the hundreds of animals who call Zoo Atlanta home. Additionally, the Veterinary Team now has a broader ability than ever before to share and exchange knowledge with other institutions and to benefit students pursuing veterinary careers.”

The Rollins Animal Health Center notably expands Zoo Atlanta’s capabilities for research; professional externship and internship opportunities; and other collaborations with academic partners across the state of Georgia. The Zoo’s academic partners include Agnes Scott College; Emory University; Georgia Institute of Technology; Georgia State University; Kennesaw State University; Morehouse College; The University of Georgia; University of North Georgia; Gwinnett Technical College; and Fort Valley State University.

While The Rollins Animal Health Center is located behind the scenes and is not open as part of a public visit, future opportunities exist to offer educational programming and tours in the space.

Learn more about Zoo Atlanta’s mission, animals, and programs at zooatlanta.org.