LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Zoo has joined dozens of other zoos across the country in requesting a vaccine to prevent animals from getting coronavirus. Veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis, in New Jersey, produces the vaccine.

Kyle Shepherd, media and public relations manager with the Louisville Zoo, told Spectrum News 1 in an email that each zoo decides which animals will receive the vaccine. Louisville plans to inoculate big cats and apes. Shepherd added they are looking at the possibility of vaccinating black-footed ferrets if approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Like human COVID-19 vaccines, the Zoetis shot is a two-shot series that is given in three-week intervals. Shepherd says the Zoo isn't sure when it will receive the vaccine, but they hope it will be in the next few weeks. 

Tigers Ginger and Molly were the first two animals at the Oakland Zoo to get the vaccine this week, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday. The doses were donated and developed by Zoetis.

Alex Herman, vice president of veterinary services at the zoo, said none of the animals have gotten the virus, but they wanted to be proactive. Tigers, black and grizzly bears, mountain lions and ferrets were the first to receive the first of two doses. Next are primates and pigs.

Zoetis is donating more than 11,000 doses for animals living in nearly 70 zoos, as well as more than a dozen conservatories, sanctuaries, academic institutions and government organizations located in 27 states, according to the news release.

The San Diego Zoo started inoculating primates in January after a COVID-19 breakout among a troop of gorillas at its Safari Park.

Great apes share 98% of their DNA with humans and are especially susceptible, as are felines. Confirmed coronavirus cases include gorillas, tigers and lions at zoos, and domestic cats and dogs.