Hundreds of people turned out for the 25th anniversary celebration and open house for Cinemazoo and Urban Safari Rescue Society Sunday.

Gary Oliver, who started both the company and charity, said it was a beautiful day with between 600 and 700 visitors to the South Surrey location throughout the day. Quite a number of those visitors were past students, some of whom have gone on to study zoology in the Okanagan, as well as a number of American tourists who saw signs and stopped in on their way back to the border.

"It was great," said Oliver. "We had lots of people all day long."

As part of the annual open house, the event was also aiming to raise funds. The silent auction brought in about $2,200, for an estimated total of $4,000 altogether, said Oliver.

"It gives us a bit of breathing room," he said, adding that most people underestimate how expensive it can be to care for animals.

By all accounts, visitors were pleased with the renovations Oliver and his crew have made to the premises.

"The guest book is full of positive compliments."

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ccooke@thenownewspaper.com