As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Los Angeles Zoo invites guests to honor the memory of their pets by placing a picture of them on the zoo’s Beloved Pets Ofrenda. (photo courtesy of Los Angeles Zoo)

The Los Angeles Zoo honors National Hispanic Heritage Month with its first-ever Beloved Pets Ofrenda to pay homage to the memory of cherished animal companions that have passed away.

Guests can print out or draw photos of their pets and place their decorated pictures on the ofrenda, or altar, located at the zoo’s Love Wall at Tree Tops Terrace.

The zoo partnered with Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for its arts and education students and their families to co-create the ofrenda and community art display.

“Plaza de la Raza has a long history of connecting art, culture and education to L.A.’s Hispanic, Latino and Latinx communities – communities that are the foundation of what Los Angeles represents,” said Denise M. Verret, CEO and zoo director. “A common bond we all share is the love we have for our pets. The care that we provide and the bonds that are formed are very similar for the animals that call the L.A. Zoo home.

“Empathy for all living things inspires the passion to protect them, and continuing to remember them is ever important in our environment today. National Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to give everyone the space to love and remember their pets. We invite every Angeleno to come and take part in our first ofrenda.”

An ofrenda, which means “offering” in Spanish, is an altar created to honor loved ones who have passed away. The ceremonial displays are a colorful mix of symbols, pictures, flowers, memorabilia, food, beverages and other meaningful items, which all are an essential part of Día de los Muertos celebrations, observed on Nov. 1-2.

“Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a celebration of life,” said Maria Jimenez Torres, executive director of Plaza de la Raza. “It recognizes death as a part of life, and we remember our ancestors and loved ones, thus keeping them alive in our hearts and minds. We welcome the opportunity to share our culture with our friends and new audiences.”

Zoo Learning and Engagement staff will be on site to help create the ofrenda with guests every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. If guests cannot come on weekends, the ofrenda will be accessible during normal zoo hours for guests to bring their own printed out photos of their pets.

The ofrenda will be on display through the end of Día de los Muertos on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

For information, visit lazoo.org.