The Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine provides world-class care for the Zoo's 3,000 animals. Since its opening on September 30, 2004, the Center supports groundbreaking research and engages Zoo visitors in veterinary care issues.
The 24,000 square foot building is divided into five areas:
- veterinary hospital,
- quarantine areas,
- laboratory space,
- staff offices, and
- an education pavilion.
The hospital wing, dedicated to diagnosis, treatment, and surgical procedures has separate treatment areas for small and large animals, and a pharmacy. Its technological infrastructure enables the veterinary care staff to use the latest diagnostic tools, including the first CT Scanner in any zoo.
A substantial portion of the Center is devoted to quarantine areas. All new animals that enter the Zoo must be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days and undergo medical evaluations to ensure that they are healthy and won't introduce disease to the animals already in residence at the Zoo. Isolation stalls specifically designed for hoofed animals, large animals, small animals, and primates help Zoo curators efficiently and safely facilitate animal transfers.
The Center also contains multiple spaces dedicated to various types of laboratory work, a clinical and radiology lab associated with the hospital wing, as well as research labs supporting work in a growing number of fields, conducted by staff animal welfare scientists. Although these spaces were initially developed to support research in the field of endocrinology, they now also contain advanced equipment that allows microbiome and nutritional focused work.
The office wing of the building houses offices and workspaces for close collaboration between veterinary and science staff. Support facilities include a computer lab and a conference room containing presentation and virtual meeting equipment.
The Center for Zoological Medicine sustains Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's commitment to conservation and reinforces the Zoo's role as a leading institution in scientific animal management.