I am an ardent animal lover, with a particular fondness for monkeys. To me, and to many others, animals are companions, friends, and sentient beings deserving of respect and care. But, unfortunately, there is a pet store in Kokomo, IN -Critter Corner- that has plans to expand their establishment and add a petting zoo, even going so far as to include monkeys in their attractions. Monkeys, who are captured from the wild, ripped away from their families, and placed into a foreign environment.

Critter Corner already has a shocking disregard for the welfare of their currently housed animals. Their livestock is poorly treated, and the conditions they live in are distressing. Instead of improving the conditions for the animals they already own, Critter Corner opts to add even more lives into their ill-maintained premises.

It is also deeply concerning that the store intends to allow children to win animals as carnival game prizes in their proposed expansion. Owning a pet is a major responsibility, not a trivial funfair game.

We need to oppose this expansion not just to protect monkeys, or other potential animals consigned to life in a petting zoo, but to send a clear message that animal welfare should be paramount in pet-related businesses. This petition is not just about stopping an expansion, it’s about advocating responsible pet ownership and animal rights.

Help us to stop the addition of more animals to a store that is already failing its existing ones. We are calling on the Kokomo city planning officials to reject Critter Corner’s expansion plans. Stand up for animals by signing this petition.