Private Zoo mistreats animals

[RubberDuck]

Just found this too.

http://www.guzooforever.com/adoptana...dinghomes.html

"The Guzoo is a safe heaven for hundreds of cats and dogs. Each year the Guzoo takes in and re-homes close to 500 cats and 200 dogs. Most of these pets were unwanted animals... the result of accidental or irresponsible breedings. Many are legitimate rescues whose owners, do to unforeseen circumstances, were forced to surrender them"

I'm in no way associated with these guys but it seems like these are some good people that have just taken on more than they can handle.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by RubberDuck

Yes, it actually is hard to find a better place for these animals. It just sounds like everyone including fish and wildlife started dumping anything and everything on this guy and his heart would not let him turn any animal away.

Seems like alot of good intentions but not enough funding.

"But in short order, it fell upon the GuZoo to become a lasting future to individual animals in need of sanctuary (or as we often refer to it, “retirement homes). Orphaned bears, deer, foxes, coyotes, skunks, unwanted horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, llamas, cats, dogs, etc… all found their way to GuZoo. From the beginning, the Fish and Wildlife office would bring orphaned wildlife to the GuZoo. Often these were young animals, still needing milk. Mr. Gustafson couldn’t bring himself to turn away an animal in need and so applied his knowledge and resources to helping animals that came his way."

"Being a farm, it was only natural for people to approach Mr. Gustafson to ask him to take in a donkey they could no longer keep, or help find homes for an unplanned litter of puppies. Word got out that if you couldn’t keep your barn yard animal, just phone the GuZoo. As the name of the GuZoo grew, so did the demand for space needed to provide adequate housing for unwanted domestic animals."

"Chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese, goats, pigs, caged birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, … you name it… all would be offered to the GuZoo. Demonstrating the need for more animal rescue facilities. Rarely was an animal turn down. Not all animals stay at the GuZoo however, many are re-homed when available homing opportunities presented themselves. But indeed, GuZoo houses, feeds and generally cares for them all in the meantime. "

http://www.guzooforever.com/home/animalsanctuary.html

I feel bad that this guy is being portrayed as a monster. He needs help, not condemnation.

I disagree, I think he needs help, but also deserves condemnation.
Having a big heart and taking in animals doesn't absolve someone of the responsibility they have to the welfare of those animals. If your resources are stretched thin and you can't take proper care of care of the animals you already have, then it's incredibly irresponsible to take in more.

[RubberDuck]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I disagree, I think he needs help, but also deserves condemnation.
Having a big heart and taking in animals doesn't absolve someone of the responsibility they have to the welfare of those animals. If your resources are stretched thin and you can't take proper care of care of the animals you already have, then it's incredibly irresponsible to take in more.

On one hand I agree with you but as an animal lover myself I don't know if I would be able to make the responsible decision if there was even a slim chance that I could provide a life for these animals. Considering that he knows the alternative for most of these animals is death, I can understand how someone like this man would have a hard time saying no.

[Ducay]

As someone who grew with family in Three Hills, the Guzoo was a regular stop. Conditions there aren't the greatest, but given the dude takes in most of the animals to shelter them, it could be worse for the animals (aka shotgun in the backyard). The conditions aren't as bas as the pictures convey.

[drewboy12]

Originally Posted by Ducay

As someone who grew with family in Three Hills, the Guzoo was a regular stop. Conditions there aren't the greatest, but given the dude takes in most of the animals to shelter them, it could be worse for the animals (aka shotgun in the backyard). The conditions aren't as bas as the pictures convey.

Could be a lot better then years of pain and suffering... Being locked up in a small confined space...

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by InSutterWeTrust

Really disturbing to hear what is going on there.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...omplaints.html

Here is a link to the pictures that someone posted on Facebook. You do need to have a facebook account to access the pictures.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=636678&id=563805693

Gee with a little digging it was easy to see Guzoo is not a "For Profit Animal Death Machine" it has been made out to be on both the CBC and Facebook page. Go figure CBC can't get it right. More knee-jerk journalism from the mother corp. And more cloyingly the "we love all animals-zoos are evil but don't ask us to do anything or come up with any real alternatives" indignation of Facebook.

Maybe if those who expressed their great indignation could volunteer either one or more of the following: time, money, great expertise in abandoned animal care. This could make Guzoo a better facility.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by HOZ

Go figure CBC can't get it right. More knee-jerk journalism from the mother corp.

Of course! It's the CBC's fault! I'm sure the Liberals also had a hand in this too!

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Of course! It's the CBC's fault! I'm sure the Liberals also had a hand in this too!

Of course! A donation to Guzoo is a vote for Michael Ignatief, he didn't come back for well treated animals!

[jar_e]

Upon the review, they get a conditional 60 day permit.

http://www.am770chqr.com/News/Local/...spx?ID=1395266

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by Deelow

This quote pretty much says it all...
The Alberta S-P-C-A confirms it is investigating complaints into the treatment of animals at a privately run zoo near Three Hills.
S-P-C-A spokesman Ken Dean says a very large number of complaints came in after pictures of animals at the facility including a goat with its face nearly covered in blood were posted on a Facebook page.
GuZoo owner Lynn Gustafson says he has nothing to defend, adding that dealing with animal activists and people who he claims don't understand is part of the job.
Gustafson says if he is forced to give up his animals, they will never go anywhere else. He says one of his lions is worth 10-thousand dollars to a taxidermist. (CTV Calgary)

10 thousand dollars is a steal of a deal price since going on over to Africa to hunt one would cost atleast 40-50.