"I was greatly disgusted and appalled..." July 9th 2007

Hello!

Lately I've just discovered your website
(www.themcdonaldrescue.com)
and have come to greatly respect the work
that you are doing with all of the neglected and
 abused animals that you take in.  I myself am an animal lover 
and pet keeper along with my fiance.
We would very much love to set up a similar place to yours
in Saskatchewan one day and also start the first 
Reptile and Amphibian association in Saskatchewan. We see a need for 
educational associations here on these critters, as pet keepers here are 
very unaware and ill informed of the behaviors, habitats, and proper 
conditions that should be met in pet keeping and caring.  We see the worst 
ignorance publicly in pet stores in our area but I was greatly disgusted 
and appalled when I clicked on the link to read about the Guzoo Animal 
Farm.

Although I've never visited the zoo myself, the pictures speak for 
themselves and the response from the owners screams even louder.  We 
support you fully in this battle against the Guzoo Animal Farm and its 
atrocities against those helpless animals.  I was wondering if there is a 
larger, or national level of government that I could write to myself as I 
am not from Alberta?  I was even thinking of writing to tourist sectors to 
try and gain their support as well (if you haven't already done so) as this 
zoo is an embarrassment to be showing to travelers foreign to our country.  
I know I'm certainly embarrassed to be from the same country as such 
ignorant and cruel people.  I wish you unending strength and luck in all of 
your animal saving endeavors.

Sincerely,
Jenna H.,Saskatchewan



Hi Jenna,

Thank you so much for your kind words of support and encouragement.

Your goal to start an animal sanctuary is fantastic; there can never be to many
legitimate Sanctuaries and Rescues. I completely agree that Saskatchewan
is in desperate need of a proper reptile/amphibian society; I was recently in Moose Jaw,
 and visited pet stores there, in Regina, and in Saskatoon.
The conditions the reptiles and other exotics were being kept in were atrocious.
Even here though, where we have three great reptile clubs, the pet stores still
vary greatly in quality. Thankfully, there are a few that put the animals
first, such as J&J Reptiles in Calgary.
Unfortunately however, most continue to spread

false information and sell more animals into inappropriate conditions. I
wish you luck  in organizing the society, I hope it all comes together for you!

As for mailing somebody on a national level, I don't think that it would be
quite as effective. Zoos are regulated by the individual provinces. However,
your letter shouldn't be disregarded; you are a source of tourist dollars, and
you have a voice that can spread the word. This issue also affects Canadians outside of Alberta;
the animals are sold to people from out of the province, and can end up anywhere.
The Wildlife Trade is an international issue, and roadside zoos all over North
America are churning out baby animals to keep the crowds coming.
Extra and Older animals are sold or traded, and many end up in rescues or
euthanized when their owners realize what they've gotten into. Wildlife rescues


everywhere are crowded and turning down animals, especially primates and big
cats. Guzoo is one of these places, that breeds their animals and sell their
offspring. These animals could end up anywhere; in Saskatchewan,
Ontario, BC,or even across the border. Plus, the more support from knowledgeable animal
lovers, the better!

Anything you can do, anybody you can write, the more of a fuss you can make,
the more likely we are to be heard, and the more likely it is that Guzoo and
roadside zoos all over Canada
will be regulated more closely and/or shut down.

Thank you for writing!
Devon