To the Town of Brookhaven and Concerned Authorities,

We, the undersigned, demand the immediate closure of the Holtsville Ecology Center and the release of all animals to reputable sanctuaries where they will finally receive the care and dignity they deserve.

The Holtsville Ecology Center, a facility that confines 120 animals in barren, inadequate enclosures, has been the subject of countless allegations of abuse and neglect. Animals have suffered and died under its watch, and the center is currently under investigation for animal cruelty. This outdated, roadside zoo fails to meet even the most basic standards of animal welfare, let alone the expectations of a compassionate and forward-thinking community.

Nine former employees of the Holtsville Ecology Center have now come forward in support of this petition, confirming the inhumane conditions and neglect they witnessed firsthand. These whistleblowers, who deeply understand the operations and shortcomings of the facility, offer damning testimony that further solidifies the need for immediate action.

Humane Long Island, a respected animal advocacy organization, has fought tirelessly for the closure of this facility. They have secured placement for every single animal at reputable sanctuaries where they would live in environments designed to meet their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Yet, despite mounting evidence of neglect, preventable deaths, and the availability of safe alternatives, the Holtsville Ecology Center refuses to release the animals, choosing instead to prolong their suffering.

Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund cruelty. Taxpayers should not have to bear the moral and financial burden of a facility that has consistently failed the animals in its care. Instead, these resources could be redirected to initiatives that benefit the community and reflect our shared values—such as native habitat restoration, environmental education programs, or public spaces that foster respect for nature and wildlife without exploiting it.

This is not 1805—it is 2025. We know better, and we must do better. The existence of the Holtsville Ecology Center in its current form is a stain on the conscience of our community.

The animals at Holtsville have waited in silence for far too long—for someone to act, for someone to care. Their suffering is not hypothetical; it is real, it is happening now, and it is preventable. The time for excuses and delays is over.

We, the undersigned, call on the District Attorney to take immediate action to:

 1. Shut down the Holtsville Ecology Center permanently.

 2. Release all animals to the sanctuaries secured by Humane Long Island.

 3. Repurpose the space for humane, sustainable, and community-driven initiatives that align with modern values and ethics.

Every day this facility remains operational is another day of needless suffering for the animals trapped there. By shutting it down and securing safe, humane relocation for these creatures, we have the chance to demonstrate true compassion, responsibility, and progress. This is a pivotal moment to stand up for what is right and take meaningful action.

The eyes of the community are on you. The power to end this cruelty lies in your hands.