With the airing of the Tiger King series, the nation became aware of how animal welfare can be neglected when roadside zoos do not act in accordance to the standards of the AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) or even the GFAS (Global Foundation of Animal Sanctuaries). 

Settler's Pond Animal Shelter is a textbook example of a roadside zoo that operates without proper protocols for their animals. Former volunteers & staff have expressed great concern for resident animals at this shelter since 2016, when the NBC5 news station launched an investigation from the intel of former volunteers at the time. Numerous animals have died from untimely and unnatural deaths over the years, based on reports from staff and their photographic evidence. 

This petition is created from my personal experience. I started volunteering at the shelter in August of 2018 with the intent of gaining experience in animal husbandry/caretaking, but I became aware of the shelter's carelessness through previous allegations and from the neglect and deaths of animals that I began to witness through my service, which eventually led to my resignation in November of 2020. Many instances of injuries, and more than 20 animal deaths, were witnessed during that timespan. These deaths were from direct causal issues, and from the conditions that were provided by the owners. Neglectful conditions for the animals include: Minimally spaced indoor/outdoor enclosures that are void of natural enrichment, dangerous and unprofessional equipment (e.g. rusted fencing) that has led to injuries, improper sanitation practices, unhealthy diets and foul smelling/dirty water, placing too many individuals of one species and of separate species in a single enclosure - resulting in rivalry/resource competition and fighting between individuals which have led to injuries.

My name is Mitchell Goodknecht. This is my story and my evidence collected. My intention is to spread awareness to the public about the neglect towards animals that has occurred at Settler's Pond. Please take action and help in my effort to shut down the facility. My goal for the current resident animals, both domestic and exotic, is to be relocated to new and reputable homes/zoological facilities, and to ensure that the owners of Settler's Pond face the proper convictions for their unprofessional practices of this animal shelter.   

Link for evidence video provided below, collected from larger portions of raw footage recorded through my services.

YouTube Campaign Channel and Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cjoV34TUE

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK8E_WmWKjENNh1EviTBdEA/featured

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ4_WrOw2-k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2HWkBvPHk4

Please follow "Chicago Alliance for Animals" on Facebook for more in depth details on incidences at Settler's Pond Animal Shelter in Beecher, IL and how you can take action to help those animals still suffering. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.chicagoallianceforanimals.org

For easier accessibility to all material presented, follow the tagline #SHUTDOWNSETTLERSPOND on Facebook and YouTube.