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Parks Board Pet Zoo Photo Is Irresponsible
posted on April 6, 2009
 The Parks Board web site photo of a baby kissing a goat is irresponsible and a threat to the safe health of kids visiting petting zoos. THEY MUST NOT BE ENCOURAGED TO KISS THE ANIMALS!
Lifeforce is a Vancouver-based ecology organization that looks at the interrelationship of human, animal and environmental problems. As part of this work we have investigated Petting Zoo operations in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria. Numerous children have been severely sickened as a result of visiting animal displays, and some have even died. Those who come in contact with E. coli can develop bloody diarrhea, anemia, chronic kidney failure, or neurological impairments such as seizures or strokes. The pens were children play can be soaked with urine and remains of feces that are not picked up by broom/shovels.
Animals are continuously harassed and even sick animals may be on display. Problems included a lamb with a broken leg, a dying chick and kids petting animals covered with feces (from a sick goat with diarrhoea). At the end of the season some operators send the animals to auction for food slaughter.
During Lifeforce’s investigations we found that there are only guidelines not regulations for Petting Zoos . These guidelines are often not adhered to and there is a lack of enforcement. When advised of problems Health Inspection agencies can only recommend improvements.
In March 2008 Lifeforce found numerous problems at the petting zoo in Stanley Park. We sent a long list of concerns. For example:
“... we were shocked to see several bunnies kept in an approximate 12” x 36” window exhibit. It is not only cruel to keep them in such a small space with kids banging on the windows but it promotes the purchase of such animals at Easter. After Easter when the novelty wears off they are often disposed of by such practises as illegal dumping in public parks.”
We have not been contacted re: our letter of April to address the outstanding issues.
Here’s our part of last letter:
Dear Mr. Joseph:
Re: Stanley Park Petting Zoo Problems
Although I appreciate the information that you provided it failed to respond to the number of issues and/or failed to fully address the issues.
For example:
1. Were the bunnies removed from the window display?
2. Was the "injured" bird removed from public display?
I am pleased to hear that the Parks Board will implement Lifeforce's recommendations to put up sufficient signage to properly inform the public about the health hazards. I hope this includes all of the information that we recommended and will include the animal rights issues. (Information in our report “Petting Zoos: A Silent Epidemic?”)
However, hand wash stations must be running water and disposable towels not just hand sanitizers/gels that you may have meant. Please clarify what the two stations are using.
Although the Board may not have knowledge of human illnesses the lack of proper information is what may well be contributing to a silent epidemic. As I said people may go home and have diarrhea and nausea but not relate it to the petting zoo. Lack of knowledge may mean lack of reporting.
Feces/urine soaked hay was not picked up by staff. Kids were walking through it and sitting in it. As stated urine and fecal matter puddles around at least one drain that needs to be redesigned/fixed.
Contrary to your letter I was advised that some animals had come from the Fraser Valley Auction. In addition, the bunnies were originally "borrowed" from Aldor Farms and it was later decided to keep them. Past Commissioners did not support these types of practises. As I requested please supply a list of acquisitions and dispositions of animals.
I urge the Commissioners to advise staff to immediately remove this irresponsible photo.
Here is the link to our report “Petting Zoos – A Silent Epidemic?”
 Download PettingZooReportDraft.pdf
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