Pets’ Corner and public toilets reopening

23 July 2020

The popular Pets’ Corner in Hazlehead Park is to reopen on Monday with a ‘furry’ big welcome back to visitors.

The Aberdeen City Council facility has been closed due to coronavirus and can reopen with the easing of lockdown and changes to how it operates. The outdoor areas and the meerkat section are open so people can view the antics of Dee, Don and Den however the adjoining aquarium/reptile building is closed as it is too small to let people physically distance.

The meerkats Dee, Don, and Den have proved a popular attraction at the facility, which had a £750,000 renovation and expansion including a new education room. As part of the renovations, a custom-built indoor and sleeping area, and large outside play area was especially built for the meerkats.

Other animal attractions at Pets’ Corner include alpacas Archie and Betty, Mason the donkey, two cross-bred pigs, turkey, chickens, sheep, goats, Hector the Shetland pony, miniature donkeys, budgies, ducks, guinea fowl, canaries, ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

Aberdeen City Council operational delivery convener Councillor John Wheeler said: “It’s fantastic that Pets’ Corner is reopening as we know how much people have missed it in the last few months as we’ve had many messages asking when it is to be reopened.

“While the keepers have done a great job at looking after the animals for the last few months, the animals have missed their additional human friends coming through the gates.”

When Pets’ Corner closed for lockdown, a video was produced showing how the animals were faring with just the keepers for company and the video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/x98a84DPkC4.

The opening hours are the Summer opening hours of 10am to 5.30pm, and admission prices are adult £3.50, child 3 to 16 years: £1, children under 3 years are free, a family pass of two adults and three children or one adult and four children £6.50, Access to Leisure or concession £2, an educational group is adult £2 and child 3-16 years 50p, and a yearly family pass is £40.

In addition to Pets’ Corner reopening on Monday, the public toilets at Duthie Park, Footdee and Chapel Street car park are reopening tomorrow. The cafes in Hazlehead and Duthie Parks are currently doing takeaway food only. The toilets at Seaton and Victoria Parks have already opened.