An Ofrenda for Beloved Pets
Photos courtesy LA Zoo
For the third consecutive year, the LA Zoo built its Beloved Pets Ofrenda in observance of National Hispanic Month and Día de Los Muertos.
The ofrenda was co-presented with Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for Arts and Education.
The ofrenda was designed to honor the memory of cherished animal companions that have passed away. Zoo guests were welcome to print photos or draw pictures of their pets and place their images and mementos on the ofrenda – located at the Zoo’s Front Entrance Plaza near Sea Life Cliffs through Nov. 2. Each weekend, Zoo staff was on-site to print and assist guests with their photos.
An ofrenda, which means “offering” in Spanish, is an altar created to honor loved ones who have passed away. These ceremonial displays are a colorful mix of symbols, pictures, flowers, memorabilia, food, beverages and other meaningful items, and all are an essential part of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, which Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx cultures observe on Nov. 1 and 2. Community partnerships with organizations like Plaza de la Raza create amazing opportunities to recognize and celebrate the rich diversity of our City.
The Beloved Pets Ofrenda was co-created with Plaza de la Raza and was conceived by the Zoo’s Community Programs Manager Coral Barreiro.
Beautiful work, all!
