Got an Ex That Really Bugs Ya? Birmingham Zoo Puts a Playful Twist on Valentine’s Day With ‘Name a Cockroach’ Fundraiser

For more information about “Name a Cockroach” fundraiser visit www.BirminghamZoo.com

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Community Event News

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Valentine’s Day doesn’t always come wrapped in roses and romance, and the Birmingham Zoo is embracing that reality with a humorous and creative fundraiser that’s turning heartbreak into help for animals.

This Valentine’s season, the Zoo is inviting the public to participate in its “Name a Cockroach” fundraiser, a lighthearted campaign that allows donors to name a Madagascar hissing cockroachafter a former partner — or anyone they choose — while supporting animal care and conservation efforts.

For a minimum donation of $20, participants can officially name a cockroach in honor of a past relationship that didn’t quite go as planned. The fundraiser offers a playful way to let go, have a laugh, and channel those feelings into something positive.

Each donor will receive a digital Certificate of Naming along with a cockroach fact sheet, making it easy to share the experience with friends or on social media. First names only will be displayed on the Zoo’s Cockroach Naming Window, located at the Zoo’s entrance.

To be included in the Valentine’s Day display, donations must be submitted by the end of the day on February 12. The naming board will officially be unveiled on February 14, with photos shared across the Birmingham Zoo’s social media platforms.

While the campaign leans into humor, Zoo officials note that it also serves an educational purpose. Cockroaches play a critical role in ecosystems by recycling nutrients and serving as a food source for many animals, making them an important — if often misunderstood — species.

All proceeds from the fundraiser directly support the care and well-being of animals at the Birmingham Zoo, helping fund daily operations, nutrition, enrichment, and veterinary services.

More information about the “Name a Cockroach” fundraiser is available at BirminghamZoo.com.

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