The executive director of the Cherry Brook Zoo is feeling very proud of her staff these days.
The zoo’s national animal welfare accreditation was recently renewed for another five years by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums.
Martha McDevitt told our newsroom the rigorous inspection lasts several days and involved a veterinarian, an accountant and zoo directors.
“They’d be looking at your finances, they’d be looking at animal welfare, looking at your safety; so your protocols, your procedures,” McDevitt said. “They’re looking at every aspect of the zoo and running of the zoo.”
McDevitt said staff work very hard to ensure the zoo meets the high standards put in place by CAZA.
“It’s a good thing,” she said of the accreditation. “If you go to an accredited facility, you know that they’re functioning at the highest standards, you know the animals are getting the care that they need.”
McDevitt said New Brunswick zoos do not currently need accreditation to operate but the province is looking at possibly requiring it.
(File photo)