Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

You can’t take them home, but you can now adopt one of Mystic Aquarium & Institute For Exploration’s wonderful marine animals. While you provide the love, we provide the care by using your donation to help feed, protect, and continue enrichment for the animals.

Animals Available

for Adoption:

Whales & Penguins

and more, oh my!

• Beluga Whale
• African Penguin
• Rays & Sharks
• Lion Fish
• Jellies
• Rescued Seals*
• California Sea Lions
• Clown Fish & the Coral Reef
• Lobsters, Sea Stars and Anemones
• Steller Sea Lions & Northern Fur Seals

Levels of Adoption

There are five levels of adoption, each with their own benefits, but the most important benefit is knowing that you have give the much needed funding to provide care, food, enrichment, and so much more to the animals of the Aquarium. Decide which adoption level is right for you, make the appropriate donation, and sponsor an animal for a year! Animal Parent kits also make great gifts!

To join the Animal Parent Program online This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it You'll be sending us an email - we'll need to know your name & contact information, which animal and which level you're interested in. If you're adopting an animal as a gift, we'll also need the recipient's name and contact information, and whether you want the package sent to you or to them. Any extra bits of information will help us personalize the package. Click the "click here" link to email all of that to our secure server, along with your preferred method of payment. If you'd prefer to do it over the phone, or for any additional questions, please call our Animal Parent Program Coordinator at 860-572-5955 ext. 160.

* By adopting a rescued seal, you will be supporting all of the seals currently receiving medical attention in our Seal Rescue Clinic, and the future seals to be helped through this unique program.  Our Marine Animal Rescue Team is constantly at the ready to find and assist sick or injured seals who strand along our coastline.  These animals' lives depend upon the care and medicine the Rescue Team provides.  Once the animals are in good health, they are released back into their ocean home.

Please note:  Because Mystic Aquarium & Institute For Exploration is a living museum, the list of animals available for adoption is subject to change, and every species may not be on exhibit at all times.