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Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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GuZoo: Alberta’s shame April 1, 2011 Provincial officials are promising to conduct a thorough review and investigation yet again of GuZoo, a private roadside zoo northeast of Calgary after evidence surfaced that animals are being mistreated there. This, after some photos posted on Facebook about a week ago went viral. The zoo was first granted a permit in 1987. The facility had previously held only a fur farm licence. Since then there have been continual complaints from the public, animal welfare agencies, Zoocheck, provincial agencies like Fish and Wildlife, and others. GuZoo owner , Lynn Gustafson, been cited multiple times on issues like inadequate caging and inappropriate shelters for animals, decaying carcasses strewn about, inappropriate feeding practices, lack of sanitation, uncontrolled feeding of zoo animals, abnormal behaviour in animals, injured animals, and ongoing public health and safety concerns. In 1989, Gustafson was convicted of illegal possession of exotic animals, and in 1994 was convicted a second time for illegal possession and trafficking in exotic animals. In 1992, he was convicted under the Animal Protection Act for failing to relieve the distress of a zoo animal. In 2000, W5, produced an expose on GuZoo called Cruel Cages. Indeed, this hellhole is akin to a concentration camp. Unbelievably, it’s still operational, having repeatedly been given its permit to operate by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. It’s $100 licence fee was up today, and it was granted a conditional 60 day permit while the investigation into animal welfare concerns continues. The ASPCA is working with Sustainable Resource Development and Agriculture and Rural Development on the probe. A meeting of the provincial zoo advisory committee will also be convened to deal with discrepancies between rule enforcement for zoo versus non-zoo animals at the facility, officials said. In 2007 Zoocheck Canada documented over 100 violations of provincial standards for zoos at GuZoo Animal Farm. June 3, 2011 The provincial government has ordered the zoo closed. Julie Woodyer of Zoocheck Canada said it has provided a list of sanctuaries and zoological facilities where the animals could be accommodated and has offered to pay animal relocation costs. Dave Ealey, spokesman for Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, said the province is still working with the owners to develop a plan for decommissioning the zoo, the first closure since new zoo standards were legislated in 2006. He further added that euthanasia (read kill) is an option if the animals can't find other homes. July 6, 2011 GuZoo has received a reprieve and is again open for business. A judicial review forced the government to stay an order to decommission the operation while the legal process the government used to rule against the zoo is examined. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28. Gustafson’s past bids to keep GuZoo open included threatening taxidermy and calling his property a “parsonage.” He claimed the designation would mean his animals would be protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. December 22, 2011 GuZoo to remain open after deal reached with Alberta government Comments: "And since when
has animal welfare in the province of Alberta fallen under the portfolio of
Alberta Tourism?!?!? This smacks of shady back-room deals and political
cronyism." "I notice that the Herald has heavily edited this story overnight, and all
mentions of Alberta Tourism have been removed, along with other facts. Highly
suspicious?" August 28, 2014 Tiger dies in Guzoo Animal Farm Comment: This is a hell on earth for the animals kept captive at this facility. There has been plenty of documentation regarding the filth, the lack of husbandry, care and compassion for the animals, the unsuitable and barren housing environments, public safety hazards, and an overall disinterest by Gustafson to provide the Five Freedoms of animal welfare. March 5, 2015 ESRD comments on surprize inspection at Guzoo April 2nd update: Rabbit Advocacy has been advised that Lynn Gustafson, owner and operator of GuZoo, has not been given the usual one year renewal permit, but has rather been given an ultimatum of 30 days to fix the deficiencies and general lack of compliance with provincial zoo standards. If after 30 days Guzoo has not become compliant, the decommissioning of the zoo will begin. Let’s hope this roadside hellhole will be shut down permanently. Gustafson has until April 15 to formally notify the province that he's decommissioning the zoo, and until the end of June to get rid of all of the wild animals. Source: CTV News April 30, 2015 Guzoo shut down after failure to meet provincial standards The sad story behind GuZoo Animal Farm: a review of GuZoo and the lack of enforcement of the Alberta Wildlife Act. (March 2005) |