Animal Welfare Assessment,
Research & Education

Our Mission

At AWARE Institute, we are dedicated to advancing animal wellbeing through expert assessment, innovative research, and transformative education. We believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change, empowering zoo professionals with the science-backed tools, strategies, and knowledge needed to create environments and experiences where both animals and people thrive.

Fueled by our passion for the animal world, we work alongside zoos to inspire creative, practical solutions that enhance animal wellbeing and deepen guest connections. Together, we are shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for animals in human care.

Our Services

Services Spotlight

The Enriched Experience Project: Advancing Animal Care and Inspiring Guest Connections

Every day, your team's expertise and dedication ensure the animals in your care thrive. But as zoos and aquariums continue to evolve, meeting the growing expectations for animal wellbeing and guest engagement requires fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. The Enriched Experience Project, developed by AWARE Institute in partnership with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the Santa Barbara Zoo, can help you reach these goals.

This program is designed to elevate your animal care practices, building on your team's strengths with onsite workshops and virtual support that deliver science-backed tools and strategies. By refining enrichment practices through an outcome-based care approach, the program helps your staff create sensory-rich, dynamic environments where animals can express natural behaviors and exercise agency—unlocking wellbeing and vitality that guests can see and feel.

Why Enriched Experiences Matter:

  • Animal Wellbeing: Thriving animals are the heart of every zoo's mission. Enriched experiences enhance their lives and support their natural instincts.
  • Staff Empowerment: Your care team is the engine of innovation. This program fosters creativity, collaboration, and pride in their work, equipping them with actionable skills to make an immediate impact.
  • Guest Inspiration: When animals thrive, their behaviors captivate and inspire guests, deepening emotional connections and advancing your conservation goals.

With AWARE Institute's collaborative approach, we'll help you achieve meaningful, measurable results that amplify your commitment to animal wellbeing, energize your staff, and inspire your visitors. Let's partner to create a future where every animal thrives, and every visitor leaves inspired.

Since 2019, the Santa Barbara Zoo has collaborated with AWARE Institute to develop the Enriched Experiences Program (EEP), which focuses on outcome-based enrichment to enhance animal well-being. Using the species' natural history to guide behavioral goals, keepers design workflows that encourage species-appropriate behaviors, promote choice and control, and provide enriching experiences through environmental complexity and diverse activities. This collaboration has been truly impactful as evidenced by improvements in keeper engagement and the physical and psychological health of our animals.

— Dr. Julie Barnes, Vice President of Animal Care and Health

Transforming Zoo Habitats: Small Changes, Big Impact

Every habitat tells a story—of the animals it houses, the care it represents, and the connections it fosters. But as expectations evolve, zoos face the challenge of keeping older exhibits relevant while balancing limited resources. At AWARE Institute, we believe that meaningful improvements don't always require a major overhaul.

Our Habitat Assessment & Refinement Service helps zoos breathe new life into existing spaces. Using a science-based, practical approach, we work alongside your team to identify creative, cost-effective enhancements that improve animal wellbeing and inspire guest engagement. From reimagining how spaces are used to introducing innovative management practices, we focus on solutions that are thoughtful and impactful.

  • Animal Wellbeing: Animals thrive in dynamic, thoughtfully enriched environments. Small changes can unlock big opportunities for natural behaviors and mental stimulation.
  • Guest Connection: Engaging, vibrant habitats spark curiosity, foster empathy, and leave a lasting impression, strengthening your mission to inspire conservation action.
  • Legacy and Vision: By enhancing existing exhibits, you demonstrate adaptability and forward- thinking leadership, preserving your zoo's legacy while paving the way for future innovation.

This service empowers zoos to maximize their impact today while building confidence and momentum for the future. With AWARE Institutes collaborative support, you can ensure your habitats reflect the very best of your dedication to animals, staff, and community.

Together, let's turn yesterday's exhibits into tomorrow's inspirations.

Who We Are

Contact Us