Meet Scott and Denise Mitchell

For thousands of people, the Phoenix Zoo is an incredibly special place for a variety of reasons, and no two are exactly the same. Take longtime Zoo donors, Denise and Scott Mitchell, for example.

The Mitchells first fell in love with the Zoo nearly 15 years ago. They began attending as many zookeeper talks as possible, and were blown away by the insatiable dedication the Zoo’s living collections team has for the animals that call the Zoo home.

“The passion of the zookeepers is extraordinary,” say the Mitchells. “Not only are they educated, they work long, hard days caring for these animals. And they truly do care for them, not just their health, but their happiness and overall well-being.”

To acknowledge this display of dedication, the Mitchells devised a unique idea during the holiday season.

“We learned that even though the Zoo is not open on Christmas Day, there are a significant number of keepers at the Zoo caring for the animals,” the Mitchells say. “These keepers are giving up Christmas morning with their family—in some cases, with young children—to care for the animals. We wanted to make this day special for them, too, so we started providing breakfast for the staff on Christmas morning.”

But they didn’t stop there. Since 2005, the Mitchells have routinely donated behavioral enrichment items found on our Amazon Phoenix Zoo wish list. Denise and Scott Mitchell redefine year-end giving.

“We’re very proud to be members of the Antler Society, the Zoo’s legacy society, and supporters of the conservation efforts, as well,” they say. “Saving the Arabian oryx from the brink of extinction is an amazing story of dedication and perseverance. Every time we visit another zoo and see an Arabian oryx exhibit, we are reminded that the animals only exist as a direct result of the conservation efforts of the Phoenix Zoo.”

The Mitchells are perfect examples of the various ways you, too, can help the Zoo.

“Conservation can only be effective if people truly care about the animals,” they concluded. “The Phoenix Zoo is a place that makes wildlife accessible to people of all ages and economic statuses, ensuring that inspiring connections can be made between people and the natural world.”

If you want to make an impact at the Phoenix Zoo like the Mitchells have, please contact Liz Toth at 602.286.3881 or ltoth@phoenixzoo.org.