Animal welfare advocates demand answers as over 300 animals transferred from California to Arizona for adoption are believed to have been sold as reptile feed.
In a shocking turn of events, a transfer of more than 300 small animals from the San Diego Humane Society to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona has ended in tragedy. Instead of finding new homes, these animals, including guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and rabbits, are believed to have been sold as reptile food. The incident has sparked outrage among animal welfare advocates, who are demanding answers and justice for these innocent creatures.
A Transfer Gone Wrong
In August, the San Diego Humane Society made the decision to transfer 323 small animals to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona due to overcapacity. The animals were said to have arrived safely in Tucson on August 7th, and the San Diego group believed they were being transported to a reputable private rescue with a history of successful partnerships. However, concerns about the animals’ fate quickly arose, prompting investigations by both organizations and local authorities.
The Disturbing Text Message
A joint statement issued by the San Diego and Arizona humane organizations revealed that over 300 animals were transferred to a man named Colten Jones, who owns the Fertile Turtle, a reptile farm business that sells live and frozen animals for reptile feed. A text message obtained by a local Tucson television station, KVOA, showed Jones asking a source if they had the ability to freeze a large number of guinea pigs and rabbits. The message, sent a day after the animals arrived in Tucson, strongly suggests that Jones intended to use the animals as feed instead of finding them adoptive homes.
Seeking Answers and Justice
The San Diego and Arizona humane organizations are determined to find out what happened to the animals and hold those responsible accountable. They have stated their commitment to pursuing legal action, both civil and criminal, to seek definitive answers about the fate of these innocent creatures. The Tucson Police Department is currently investigating the incident, and both organizations are collaborating with their legal advisors to advance legal proceedings.
Fallout and Accountability
In the wake of this tragic incident, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona took swift action. The organization fired its chief executive, Steve Farley, and accepted the resignation of its chief operating officer, Christian Gonzalez, who reportedly oversaw the animals’ transfer. Robert Garcia, chairman of the HSSA board, cited their “terribly negligent actions” and failure to follow protocols as reasons for their dismissal. The organization has also hired a new chief executive in an effort to restore trust and ensure transparency.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigations
Despite the actions taken by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, many questions remain unanswered. How did the animals end up in the hands of a private company that sells animals as reptile feed? Who was responsible for the oversight that allowed this tragedy to occur? The San Diego Humane Society is conducting its own investigation to determine how the transfer went wrong and to prevent similar incidents in the future. Additionally, the Arizona organization has commissioned an independent investigator to release a report in the coming weeks.
Conclusion:
The transfer of over 300 animals from the San Diego Humane Society to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona has turned into a nightmare. Instead of finding new homes, these innocent creatures are believed to have been sold as reptile food. Animal welfare advocates are rightfully demanding answers and justice for these animals. As investigations continue, it is crucial that the responsible parties are held accountable and that measures are put in place to prevent such tragedies from happening again. The fate of these animals serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible and ethical treatment of animals in our society.
Leave a Reply