Paradise Valley Farm

I think it is very disingenuous to leave a negative review based on something you saw 6 years ago. With that said, as someone with extensive experience in the husbandry field, it is far too nuanced to understand in its entirety after only 6 months of intern experience. It should be noted that interns may not even work with the animals directly. We are not told if the parakeet enclosures were permanent or temporary holding. Zebras are naturally aggressive, and livestock in general are typically kept in small corrals when they are not out to pasture during the day. Rabbits are non-stop poop machines, and feces will always be present in their enclosures. This is vital information that was omitted from the review. This facility does good work with the financial limitations imposed upon them. Their non-domesticated animals are rescues and orphans who would otherwise be dead or trapped within the pet trade. Unfortunately, sanctuaries in general tend to feature smaller enclosures. This is mitigated (as well as it can be) with adequate enrichment. This is an inherent drawback of sanctuaries and rescues, which have much lesser funding than accredited city zoos. Consider this before you suggest sanctuaries are superior. The issues cited regarding this location are not at all exclusive, and in my opinion are a show of poor understanding of the industry. Shutdown would most probably result in mass euthanasia of the animals.

I was an intern at this roadside zoo back in 2016. In the short 6 months I was there I witnessed horrendous care of their animals. Parakeets shoved in cages so crowded that they couldn't fly. Zebras in an outrageously small corral that are extremely aggressive as a show of their clear discomfort. A gibbon and mountain lion also in outrageously small enclosures much too small for them to use any energy at all. Rabbits living in their own feces. Hope is a horder and continues to buy new animals instead of caring for the ones she already has. I am totally pro-zoo, but this place needs shut down.

Adopted 2 bunnies yesterday from here. Abbey and everyone was great to work with!