We invite you to honor and celebrate the cherished memories of your beloved pets who have passed away by submitting their photos for a special Día de los Muertos Beloved Pets Ofrenda here at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant and deeply meaningful Mexican holiday. Ofrenda is a Spanish word that means “offering” in English. The altar that is created as part of Día de los Muertos honors loved ones who have passed away, inviting their spirits back for a joyous reunion with the living. These colorful displays are a celebration of their life, providing remembrance of the departed. They are also a space to share about their everlasting presence in our lives.

Pets are also cherished family members and Brookfield Zoo Chicago wants to provide a meaningful way to celebrate their lives. Between now and October 19, 2025, share images of your beloved animal family members for placement on our Beloved Pets Ofrenda.

During the weekend of Día de los Muertos, we hope that you will visit our Beloved Pets Ofrenda and share stories of your pets with members of our Education & Community Engagement team.

Many individuals also like to bring small gifts to place on the altar to observe the memory of their loved ones—welcoming the spirit of the individual. We offer two options for those that wish to participate is this tradition:

1. Donation of new items. Some new item donations can support the enrichment opportunities for the animals of Brookfield Zoo Chicago and others can be shared with local animal shelters that partner and collaborate with the Zoo.

Donations that can be used by BZC include: Kong brand toys (hard plastic); Bird toys; Puzzle feeders/Slow feeders

Donations that can be used local shelter partners include: Wet/dry cat food; Wet/dry dog food; leashes/collars; feeding bowls; sheets/towels; Kong brand toys (stuffed); Litter/bedding

2. Make a gift of support. Honor the beloved animals in your life by making a gift to support the animals of Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Your generous contribution allows us to provide the highest level of excellence in animal care and ignite emotional connections with wildlife that inspire our guests to conservation action.

For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Dia de los Muertos Events.