What AZA Accreditation Means, and Where Tiger Creek Stands
By Emily Brooks, Executive Director
Anyone deciding where to visit or where to give will come across the phrase "AZA accredited." It appears on websites and donation pages, usually without explanation. This article explains what AZA accreditation is, how it differs from a government license, how sanctuaries fit in, and where Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary stands today.
What does AZA accredited mean?
AZA is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit that sets professional standards for facilities that care for wildlife and are open to the public. A facility that is AZA accredited has applied, been inspected, and been found to meet those standards.
According to AZA, the process includes a detailed written application, an on-site inspection lasting several days by a team of experts, and a hearing before an independent Accreditation Commission. The review covers animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education, guest services, physical facilities, safety, staffing, finance, and governance (AZA, n.d.-c).
Accreditation is not permanent. Each facility goes through the full process again every five years, and accreditation can be withdrawn if standards are no longer met (AZA, n.d.-a).
A license is not accreditation
The two are often confused. Under the federal Animal Welfare Act, facilities that exhibit animals to the public must hold a license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA carries out routine, unannounced inspections to check that licensed facilities meet the Act's basic standards of care (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [USDA APHIS], n.d.).
AZA accreditation is voluntary and goes further. AZA reports that approximately 10% of the nearly 2,150 animal exhibitors licensed by the USDA are AZA accredited (AZA, n.d.-a). In other words, a license shows that a facility is legally allowed to operate, while accreditation shows that it has chosen to be measured against a higher professional standard.
How do sanctuaries fit in?
Although AZA accreditation is often associated with traditional zoos and aquariums, eligibility is not limited to those institutions. Sanctuaries that provide lifelong care for rescued or displaced animals, maintain professional animal management programs, and support conservation and education may also qualify, provided they meet AZA's rigorous standards.
For sanctuaries like Tiger Creek, pursuing AZA accreditation demonstrates that a rescue-focused mission and lifelong commitment to animal care can operate within the same professional framework and standards of excellence expected of leading zoological institutions. Accreditation provides independent verification that an institution meets established standards for both animal care and organizational operations.
The Pathway Toward Membership
AZA offers a program for organizations preparing to apply. AZA describes its Pathway Toward Membership as a service agreement with non-member organizations that intend to apply for accreditation, typically within five years (AZA, n.d.-b). Each participant is assigned an experienced peer coach who helps the organization prepare.
Taking part does not mean a facility is accredited, and it does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted. It means the organization has committed to the work and has invited outside review.
Where Tiger Creek stands
Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary holds a USDA license (74-C-1180) and joined AZA's Pathway Toward Membership on June 28, 2024. On August 29, 2024, an independent third-party auditor toured our sanctuary and described what they saw as "an excellent starting point" for AZA accreditation. The full account is in Independent Inspection Yields Outstanding Report.
Tiger Creek is not yet AZA accredited. We are working toward it, with our application planned for March 2027, and we will share each step as it happens. More about that work is in AZA & Tiger Creek: A Partnership to Excellent Animal Care, and more about our mission is on our About page.
Give with confidence
Your gift provides food, veterinary care, and enrichment for every resident while we continue our work toward AZA accreditation.
How to check any facility before visiting or giving
These four checks take a few minutes and apply to any organization that houses wild animals.
Look up the USDA record. The USDA Animal Care Public Search Tool lists licensed facilities and their inspection reports (USDA APHIS, n.d.).
Check accreditation at the source. AZA publishes its list of currently accredited facilities, so a logo on a website is easy to verify.
Ask about public contact. Since December 20, 2022, federal law has prohibited public contact with big cats. Our guide, Can You Own a Tiger in Texas?, explains the Big Cat Public Safety Act.
Review the nonprofit's records. A registered nonprofit's tax filings are public, and a transparent organization explains how gifts are used.
Giving with confidence
Accreditation matters because it replaces "trust us" with evidence. Tiger Creek has chosen to be reviewed, and we will keep reporting on our progress. Supporters who would like to help provide food, veterinary care, and enrichment for the residents while that work continues can make a donation.
See the care for yourself
Join a guided Conservation Tour and meet the residents with a guide who shares each animal's story. Tours run March 1 through October 31.
Emily Brooks serves as Executive Director of Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, overseeing the organization's rescue, animal care, and conservation efforts.
Frequently asked questions
What does AZA accredited mean?
It means a facility has passed the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' review, which includes a written application, a multiple-day on-site inspection, and a hearing before an independent commission.
How long does AZA accreditation last?
Five years. A facility must then complete the entire process again to remain accredited.
Is a USDA license the same as accreditation?
No. A USDA license is a legal requirement for exhibiting animals to the public. AZA accreditation is voluntary, and AZA reports that about 10% of USDA-licensed exhibitors hold it.
Is Tiger Creek AZA accredited?
Not yet. Tiger Creek joined AZA's Pathway Toward Membership program on June 28, 2024, and plans to submit its application for accreditation in March 2027.
How can I check whether a facility is accredited?
Use the list of accredited facilities on aza.org, and the USDA Animal Care Public Search Tool for inspection reports.
References
Association of Zoos and Aquariums. (n.d.-a). Accreditation FAQ. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://www.aza.org/accred-faq
Association of Zoos and Aquariums. (n.d.-b). Pathway Toward Membership program. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://www.aza.org/PTM-program
Association of Zoos and Aquariums. (n.d.-c). What is accreditation? Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://www.aza.org/what-is-accreditation
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (n.d.). AWA inspection and annual reports. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/annual-inspection-reports
