Inside the Dallas Zoo’s A.H. Meadows Animal Health Care Facility
Behind the scenes, a building unseen by visitors exerts a quiet influence on the Dallas Zoo’s animal welfare. Since its opening in 1999, the $3.75 million A.H. Meadows Animal Health Care Facility has been the cornerstone of veterinary care for more than 2,000 animals.
Spanning 15,440 sq ft and staffed by 12 dedicated professionals, the complex accommodates everything from tiny frogs to 10,000‑pound African elephants. It houses specialized suites for surgery, recovery, intensive care, treatment, radiology, pharmacy, quarantine, and clinical pathology.
While the hospital’s doors are often closed to the public, the zoo’s veterinarians and technicians frequently leave the facility to perform field duties—drawing blood, administering medication, monitoring health, and conducting ultrasounds across the park.
Now is an excellent opportunity to visit the Dallas Zoo during Penguin Days. From now through February 28, guests aged 3 and up can experience the zoo’s most iconic residents for just $7 per person, and enjoy daily keeper chats and animal encounters that showcase the zoo’s commitment to animal health and conservation.
