Accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums or The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.Here are some red flags and green flags to help you tell the difference: What To Look Out For Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between a good zoo, aquarium, or sanctuary versus a bad one. AZA sets the standards for zoos and aquariums, while GFAS handles the accreditation of animal sanctuaries. It is important to ensure that the location you visit meets the accreditation standards of either Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) or The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS).

Both of these roadside zoos remain open to the public as of 2022. From June 2021 to September 2021, the USDA documented over 300 animals that were acquired or “disposed of” without documentation at each of these awful zoos.

Shortly after this USDA inspection, the zoo’s only giraffe was removed from the facility and was never returned. Upon their inspection of the owner’s second zoo in August of 2021, they found extremely similar conditions- strong smells of feces and ammonia, animals without water, and extremely skinny animals. The inspector found injured animals, filthy enclosures, and many needed repairs. The USDA also found that a giraffe and a hippo died under suspicious circumstances at this location. In June of 2021, the USDA investigated one of these zoos and found that there was no attending veterinarian for the animals there. In Texas, two roadside zoos owned by the same man had a total of 26 violations of the Animal Welfare Act and 1 official warning in 2021.

Tim stark zoo