Zoocheck
Zoocheck is a Canadian wildlife protection charity founded in 1984 that conducts advocacy campaigns, investigations, legislative actions, and litigation to protect wild animals in captivity and in the wild, supported by individual donor funding and a network of expert contractors and law firm partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersGravenhurst, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Zoocheck does
Zoocheck Inc. is a Canadian registered charity (BN #13150 2072 RR0001) founded in 1984 in Gravenhurst, Ontario, that promotes and protects the interests and well-being of wild animals in captivity and in the wild. The organization works through a portfolio of advocacy campaigns rather than commercial products, addressing issues such as roadside and professional zoos, aquariums and marine mammals, mobile zoos, the exotic wild animal pet trade, wild horses, cormorants, bears, and international wildlife including anti-poaching work in Africa and Asia. Its core activities span investigations, research, public education and awareness campaigns, capacity building initiatives, legislative actions, and litigation.
Zoocheck operates as a small organization (11-50 employees) that scales its impact through a substantial network of expert contractors and strategic partnerships, including ongoing engagements with some of Canada's largest law firms. The organization has a documented legislative track record, most notably contributing to the 2019 royal assent of Bill S-203 (banning whale and dolphin captivity in Canada, with fines up to $200,000) and the November 2023 Senate introduction of Bill S-15 (to phase out elephant and great ape captivity). It also collaborates internationally, including a partnership with US-based Elephants in Japan to conduct the first investigative review of solitary elephants in Japanese zoos.
The business model is a donation-funded nonprofit: Zoocheck relies on individual contributions via monthly giving, one-time donations, securities, bequests, and a car donation program (in partnership with Donate a Car Canada and CanadaHelps). Donations above $5 CAD are tax-deductible with receipts issued. Distribution and outreach are conducted through the Zoocheck.com website, the periodic 'Zoocheck News & Views' newsletter, Bluesky social media, publications and research reports, videos and webinars, and public events including workshops, lectures, and conferences. The organization does not sell products or services, has no software or API offerings, and does not use AI/ML infrastructure — its work is delivered through human-led advocacy, investigation, and legal action.
Zoocheck firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zoocheck
- Legal name
- Zoocheck Inc.
- Website
- https://zoocheck.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Zoocheck is a Canadian wildlife protection charity founded in 1984 that conducts advocacy campaigns, investigations, legislative actions, and litigation to protect wild animals in captivity and in the wild, supported by individual donor funding and a network of expert contractors and law firm partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zoocheck industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wildlife Protection Advocacy
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)
Keywords
Where Zoocheck is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gravenhurst
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zoocheck business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Zoocheck is a registered Canadian charity (#13150 2072 RR0001) that relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals. They offer monthly giving programs and one-time donations. Donations support effective campaigns and projects to help wildlife in captivity and free-roaming in the wild.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Zoocheck product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zoocheck is a Canadian-based international wildlife protection charity that delivers advocacy campaigns, investigations, research, public education, capacity building, legislative actions, and litigation to protect wild animals in captivity and in the wild. Its work targets roadside zoos, professional zoos, aquariums and marine mammals, mobile zoos and exotic animal expos, the exotic wild animal pet trade, and free-roaming wildlife such as wild horses, bears, cormorants, and beavers. The charity is funded by individual donations and engages a network of expert contractors and partner law firms to extend its campaign capacity.
Product overview
Zoocheck is a Canadian-based international wildlife protection charity established in 1984 that operates through a portfolio of advocacy campaigns and educational resources rather than a software product. The organization conducts multi-faceted campaigns including investigations, research, legislative actions, public education, court actions, animal rescues, and capacity building. Core campaign areas focus on wildlife in captivity (roadside zoos, professional zoos, marine mammals, mobile zoos, exotic pet trade) and wildlife in the wild (wild horses, cormorants, bears). The organization provides educational resources including publications, videos, webinars, and a periodic newsletter. Zoocheck is not a technology company and does not offer software products or APIs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wildlife Protection Advocacy Campaigns Multi-faceted advocacy campaign program combining investigations, research, legislative campaigns, public education, court actions, animal rescues, and capacity building to protect wild animals in captivity and in the wild, available to the public through Zoocheck's website.
- Wildlife in Captivity Advocacy Campaigns Advocacy campaign series addressing the welfare of captive wild animals across roadside zoos, professional zoos, aquariums and marine mammals, mobile zoos and exotic animal expos, and the exotic wild animal pet trade.
- Wildlife in the Wild Advocacy Campaigns Free-roaming wildlife protection initiatives covering wild horses in Alberta, Great Lakes Cormorants, and bear conservation and rehabilitation programs in Canada.
- Publications and Research Reports Free-access research publications covering Canadian and international wildlife issues such as zoos, marine mammals, mobile live animal programs, circuses, exotic pet trade, and wildlife in the wild.
- Videos and Webinars Free educational video content covering workshops on exotic pets, wildlife issue presentations, and advocacy training materials distributed via the Zoocheck website.
- Zoocheck News & Views Newsletter Free periodic email newsletter delivering campaign updates, wildlife protection news, and organizational activity summaries to subscribers.
- International Wildlife Support Program Funding and operational support program for international wildlife protection work, including anti-poaching patrols, sanctuary construction, and collaborative campaigns in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.
- Strategic Animal Advocacy 101 Training Capacity building training program designed for new and intermediate animal advocates, teaching strategic advocacy approaches to wildlife protection.
Companies that use Zoocheck
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Zoocheck technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Zoocheck partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Canada's Largest Law FirmscoreZoocheck regularly partners with some of Canada's largest law firms to support their campaigns and legal actions. These partnerships allow Zoocheck to have a bigger impact than their small size might suggest by providing legal expertise for court actions and legislative campaigns.
- Elephants in Japan (US-based NGO)minorPartnered with US-based Elephants in Japan NGO to conduct first ever investigative review of solitary elephants in Japanese zoos, publication of seminal report on the issue and subsequent lobbying initiatives in Japan.
- World Animal Protection CanadacoreZoocheck recently partnered with World Animal Protection Canada to promote a new municipal resolution, supported by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), urging Ontario to finally regulate exotic wildlife in captivity.
- Black Bear Rescue ManitobaminorAssisted in the set up of Black Bear Rescue Manitoba (BBRM), the first rehabilitation facility and release program in Manitoba. Previously there was no rehabilitation program in the province.
- Willows Animal Sanctuary (UK)minorProvided financial support to the Willows Animal Sanctuary in the United Kingdom.
- Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Ontario)minorFunded construction of beaver/otter enclosure at the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Ontario.
- Sandy Pines Wildlife Center (Ontario)minorFunded construction of large flight aviary to assist in raptor rehabilitation at the Sandy Pines Wildlife Center in Ontario.
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)coreWorking with AMO to promote municipal resolution urging Ontario to regulate exotic wildlife in captivity. Both groups were present at the 2024 AMO conference in Ottawa.
- Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor GeneralminorSubmit reports, photographs and other evidence about wildlife in captivity situations to the Ministry for investigation and enforcement action.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Zoocheck competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- World Animal Protection: Global animal welfare charity that campaigns on wildlife in captivity, wildlife trade, and animal protection. Zoocheck has directly partnered with World Animal Protection Canada on municipal resolutions, making them a closely aligned co-campaigner.
- Humane Society International / Canada: Major international animal protection organization with both US and Canadian entities. Operates similar advocacy campaigns on wildlife trade, captive wildlife, and legislative reform, overlapping directly with Zoocheck's mission and target donor base.
- Animal Justice (Canada): Canadian animal law advocacy organization that drives legislative reform and litigates on behalf of animals. Highly comparable to Zoocheck's legislative and legal-action strategy in Canada, including support for animal protection bills.
- Born Free Foundation: International wildlife charity focused on ending animal suffering and conserving threatened species. Operates in captive wildlife welfare and wild animal protection, sharing Zoocheck's roadside zoo and captivity concerns.
- International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): Global nonprofit focused on wildlife conservation, animal welfare, and rescue operations. Similar advocacy + policy + rescue model, with comparable engagement on wildlife trade, marine mammals, and habitat protection.
Broad incumbents
- WWF-Canada: Canada arm of a global conservation organization with a much broader portfolio (habitat, climate, species) compared to Zoocheck's captivity-focused mission. Overlaps on wildlife trade and species protection advocacy.
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Large international animal rights organization with significant advocacy on captive wildlife, exotic pet trade, and marine mammal captivity. Operates at a much larger scale but pursues overlapping campaign targets.
- Canadian Wildlife Federation: National Canadian conservation organization with broader habitat and species mandate. Engages on wild horses, cormorants, and Canadian wildlife — directly overlapping with Zoocheck's "wildlife in the wild" campaigns.
Emerging players
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada: Canadian presence of a global wildlife conservation NGO focused on species and habitat conservation. Complementary to Zoocheck's wild horse, bear, and cormorant work, but with a stronger science/habitat focus.
- FAUNA Foundation: Canadian-based charity focused on wildlife protection, particularly great apes. Shares Zoocheck's interest in captivity reform and supports overlapping campaigns on chimpanzees and exotic animal welfare.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zoocheck social profiles
Digital presenceZoocheck financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zoocheck leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Zoocheck funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zoocheck M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zoocheck
What does Zoocheck do?
Zoocheck is a Canadian-based international wildlife protection charity that delivers advocacy campaigns, investigations, research, public education, capacity building, legislative actions, and litigation to protect wild animals in captivity and in the wild. Its work targets roadside zoos, professional zoos, aquariums and marine mammals, mobile zoos and exotic animal expos, the exotic wild animal pet trade, and free-roaming wildlife such as wild horses, bears, cormorants, and beavers. The charity is funded by individual donations and engages a network of expert contractors and partner law firms to extend its campaign capacity.
Is Zoocheck a public or private company?
Zoocheck is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Zoocheck founded?
Zoocheck was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Zoocheck based?
Zoocheck is headquartered in Gravenhurst, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Zoocheck make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.
Who are Zoocheck's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are World Animal Protection, Humane Society International / Canada, Animal Justice (Canada), Born Free Foundation and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Broad incumbents are WWF-Canada, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Canadian Wildlife Federation. Emerging players are Wildlife Conservation Society Canada and FAUNA Foundation.
Does Zoocheck have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zoocheck.
What industry is Zoocheck in?
Zoocheck's product category is Wildlife Protection Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAB, Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection, with a secondary code of BPAGAIAG, Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement. Its NAICS code is 813312.