Zoos, Communities Hold Día de los Muertos Animal Ofrendas

Across the U.S., Día de los Muertos–inspired ofrendas are being used to honor animals as well as people, with institutions and neighborhoods inviting guests to place photos and mementos of pets and deceased zoo animals. Examples include the North Carolina Zoo’s pet ofrenda, Audubon Zoo’s first Beloved Animal Ofrenda in New Orleans (on display through Nov. 2), and a community ofrenda at Philadelphia’s Italian Market. Home altars and public ofrendas are decorated with candles, marigolds, photos, favorite treats, toys, collars and even fur or whiskers to welcome returning pet spirits, which some say arrive around Oct. 27, and to celebrate memories rather than mourn death. Personal tributes, such as Genesis Pimentel-Howard’s ofrenda for her cat Mobi, illustrate how people are adapting the tradition to grieve and remember companion animals as family. Separately, Baltimore’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, held on zoo grounds, brought more than 269 teams and roughly 2,300 participants and provides free resources while raising awareness and funds for the 127,000+ Marylanders living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Together, these initiatives show zoos and community organizations expanding their public roles as spaces for remembrance, healing and connection.