Feds shut down Even Keel Exotics and seize 142 animals
Even Keel Exotics has been permanently shut down and the feds plan to confiscate 142 animals from roadside zoo owner Zachery Keeler.
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Roadside Zoo News
- Aug 10
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics permanently shut down by feds
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics, a roadside zoo in Lake City, Michigan, has been permanently shut down by federal officials.
2,304 views
- Jul 28
Bill Zelenski sentenced to life in prison for Waupaca murder over stolen reptiles
William Zelenski will be eligible for parole in 35 years after being found guilty of killing a Waupaca teen over stolen reptiles.
394 views
- Jun 8
MToxins Venom Lab fined for hiding the death of bald eagle
MToxins Venom Lab in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been fined for falsifying documents to hide the death of a bald eagle.
3,533 views
- Apr 18
Cy Vierstra used stolen money to buy exotic animals, hot tubs, kayaks and items for his roadside zoo
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center used stolen money to purchase exotic animals, kayaks, hot tubs and items for his roadside zoo.
747 views
- Apr 13
Animal welfare unknown at Even Keel Exotics after ten missed inspections
Even Keel Exotics in Michigan has missed 83% of USDA inspections in the past year, with ongoing concerns for the welfare of the animals.
635 views
- Mar 1
African porcupine escapes from Tiger Creek employee’s Texas home
An African porcupine has escaped from the home of Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary employee Natasha Chab and is on the loose in Flint, Texas.
791 views
- Feb 22
Union Ridge Wildlife Center animals being rehomed while Cy Vierstra heads to prison
The animals at Union Ridge Wildlife Center are being rehomed, according to Ohio officials, weeks after Cy Vierstra was sentenced to prison.
4,562 views
- Feb 6
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center sentenced to prison for theft of $287,000 in town funds
Cy Vierstra will spend five years in prison for stealing township funds to finance his roadside zoo Union Ridge Wildlife Center.
3,364 views
- Feb 6
Mother sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in son's murder over stolen reptiles
Tiffany Powell of Waupaca was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the murder of her son during a dispute over stolen reptiles.
3,157 views
- Feb 3
Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics cited for abusing servals; releasing bobcat
Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics cited with four federal violations for abusing servals and releasing a captive bobcat into the woods.
1,022 views
- Jan 30
A dozen monkeys stolen from a Louisiana zoo
At least 12 monkeys were stolen from Zoosiana in Broussard, Louisiana on January 28, 2023.
265 views
- Jan 11
Missing and presumed dead: Dog at Rustic Retreat Deer Park
Another animal is missing and presumed dead at the roadside zoo Rustic Retreat Deer Park near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
519 views
- Jan 6
Union Ridge Wildlife Center's USDA license canceled in advance of Cy Vierstra's felony sentencing
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center has cancelled his USDA license while awaiting sentencing on five felonies for theft.
1,321 views
- Jan 4
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary cited with a critical violation for tiger cub drowning deaths
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary has been cited with a critical violation after two tiger cubs drowned in an icy pond.
1,254 views
- Dec 20, 2022
President Biden signs Big Cat Public Safety Act into law
The Big Cat Public Safety Act has been signed into law by Joe Biden, putting an end to cub petting in the United States.
366 views
- Dec 2, 2022
Waupaca mother convicted of lesser charges in son’s murder over stolen reptiles
Tiffany Powell was convicted today for her role in the death of her son, Ryelee Manente-Powell, who was shot by William Zelenski.
1,627 views
- Nov 28, 2022
Rustic Retreat Deer Park ordered to stop public wolfdog sessions or be fined $500 per day
Rustic Retreat Deer Park owner Tom Mueller must stop letting the public interact with wolfdogs or be fined $500 per day, a judge has ruled.
552 views
- Nov 22, 2022
Special Memories Zoo owner and manager agree to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000
Special Memories Zoo owner Dona Wheeler and former zookeeper Gretchen Crowe have agreed to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000.
366 views
- Nov 21, 2022
East Texas Zoo and Gator Park listed for sale by Jason Clay, along with Franklin Drive Thru Safari
East Texas Zoo and Gator Park has now been listed for sale by Jason Clay, following the sale listing for Franklin Drive Thru Safari.
1,837 views
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