My personal experience with Kristin Rasmussen, the founder of Otters and Others Zoo and Conservation is nothing short of heartbreaking.  Kristin has an appalling history with animals. She has been charged with the abuse of 5 boarded horses, a dog, and has contributed directly to the death of a boarder's horse and her own stallion, as they were under her care. To add insult to injury, she unashamedly lied, claiming she had moved her stallion to another property. This is who's running this zoo. Furthermore, she sells animals with no regard for the truth when it comes to profit, often misrepresenting animals' age, breeding, and capability and even health.

There is a blatant disregard for our laws as well; she illegally imported exotic animals, as a result of which they were removed, she faced criminal charges, including commercialization of protected wildlife, and was ordered by the court to not personally own exotics or be a part of any Board of Directors. That hasn't kept her at bay.  Although they were removed over a year ago, she still claims the animals removed are "temporarily off exhibit" and offers sponsorships and accepts donations on her site.  Though not officially on the Board, Kristin remains the only point of contact for appointments, handles their marketing and social posts, and lives on the property.  No contact is shown for any other member of the Board of Directors.

Her persistent disregard for the law is alarming.  From the beginning she ignored Utah business regulations until forced by the State to comply.  Even today there's no current business license for Stockton, or a USDA license for this entity.  She falsely claimed she was a 501(c)3 for over a year before it was approved.  Although implied in social posts, she has not applied for membership to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.  The inspection was not to become accredited, but merely to assess her eligibility to enter their Pathway Toward Membership program, their mentorship program, for which she not yet applied.  As the self-proclaimed "zookeeper," Kristin has no formal education to qualify as such.  The charges of animal abuse paint an even grimmer picture of her regard for animal welfare, as well as the disregard for laws, and truth and transparency for customers.  

We cannot stand by idly while animals suffer and laws are sidestepped for personal gain at any roadside zoo!  We need to take a stance and insist on the immediate shutdown of Otters and Others Zoo and Conservation. Please, sign this petition to amplify our call for justice for the animals and adherence to animal welfare and environmental laws.