[1] The mural received a generally positive reception, though in 1997 the president of the company that owned the building expressed his desire to replace the artwork, which he considered a free advertisement for the Oregon Zoo.

His search was met with resistance by building tenants, particularly employees of the advertising agency Young and Roehr, who began displaying "Save Packy" signs and campaigning for the art's preservation.

[5][6] He said the artwork served as a free advertisement for the Oregon Zoo, and should be replaced with something that promoted the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood.

[5] Building tenants, particularly those who worked for the advertising agency Young and Roehr, began displaying "Save Packy" signs and campaigning for the mural's preservation.

One owner of North Pacific Sign and Design, who had painted the mural with his father, brother, and two assistants, said the work could be cleaned and "touched up" for significantly less.

"[5] In April 2002, citywide celebrations for Packy's fortieth birthday raised money to restore the faded mural.

A spokesperson for the organization confirmed that they consulted with the mural's artist and the Oregon Zoo, the neighborhood association, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

[1]The Oregonian's Sura Rubinstein said of the mural's public reception: "Some see a charming tribute to an elephant who's captivated the heart of the city since 1962.