‘McClelland’s Critters’ Caught Endangering Animals and the Public

Feds Cite Facility for Hazardous, Filthy Conditions and Unsupervised Visitors After PETA Complaint

For Immediate Release:
May 17, 2016

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Following a PETA complaint filed in February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has inspected McClelland’s Critters—a roadside zoo in Banks—and confirmed several of PETA’s allegations, leading the USDA to cite the facility for numerous violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

According to the April 20 government inspection report, which has just been made public, numerous enclosures at the facility had dangerous sharp pieces of protruding metal or were coated in algae and grime, placing animals’ health and safety at risk, and animals were found drinking water with a “thick green frothy consistency.” The report also notes an incident in which 60 schoolchildren were allowed to interact freely with buffalo—as well as deer, goats, sheep, and pigs—with no employee supervision.

“McClelland’s Critters apparently either can’t or won’t provide animals with basic necessities such as clean drinking water, nor does the facility take safety precautions to protect both animals and visitors,” says PETA Foundation Deputy Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet. “PETA is calling for these animals to be retired to reputable sanctuaries where they can receive the attention and care that they deserve.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—encourages families to stay away from any roadside zoo that displays animals for profit.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.