Mistley Place Park (Ref: http://www.mistleyplacepark.com) is an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in North Essex, which cares for both wild and domestic animals who have been injured or abandoned in the area. The local council (Tendring District Council aka TDC) has recently stipulated that in order for the centre to continue to open to the public, it must apply and be accepted for a zoo licence (ref: http://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/localnews/9748860.Animal_sanctuary_told_it_needs_zoo_licence/?ref=nt).

The decision by TDC to impose this ridiculous new regulation, means that Mistley Park Place would no longer be able to operate and that in future they would be unable to take in and rehabilitate domestic and wild animals, the funding from which comes courtesy of the owners' personal financial input, donations from people adopting animals and gate receipts from visitors to the park (currently costing just £4 per adult visitor).

We, the undersigned, petition Tendring District Council to rescind their stipulation that Mistley Park Place should be considered to be a zoo. In addition, Tendring District Council should recognise Mistley Park Place for the valuable work they do in rescuing and rehabilitating local wildlife and domestic animals, rather than persecuting them for their efforts.