I think there are good zoos and bad zoos. The good ones create spacious, comfortable surroundings for their animals and encourage education, conservation and environmentalism.

We have a very nice zoo in town that fits the bill as far as that definition is concerned.  We have a family membership in their booster organization.  They were one of the first places in town to go green.  I've felt uncomfortable going to other zoos in larger cities though.  It's weird when you have something nice in your own backyard and don't even realize it.