It has been a LONG time since I last wrote, I am not too concerned, because I don't have or try to get any followers, this a just a diary of sorts. A journal of my personal milestones, wisdom, and the betterment of myself in such areas as controlling my PTSD, in my animal rescue, in my advocacy of animal welfare, and other important issues in my life.
As of late I have been working as a member of Concerned Albertans for Animal Welfare and Public Safety (caawps.com) to shut down Guzoo for 4 years now. I knew that problems have existed at Guzoo for YEARS, but have recently been donating my time and money to help fund and work on the CAAWPS campaign to get Guzoo investigated, as well as many other members too.
Well, we DID IT! The Ministry of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development did a 60 day investigation of Guzoo, contracted a third party (CAZA- Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) to interpret the AZS and investigate Guzoo using these standards and not their own.
Unsurprisingly, they issued their finding, saying it would be IMPOSSIBLE for Guzoo to become compliant to Alberta Zoo Standards due to the ENTIRE facility, the operation, enclosures and the inability to stop the spread of diseases. To say that MY pictures, observations, interpretations of the Alberta Zoo Standards and opinion have been vindicated seems to soft to me. We were proven to be 100% right, Guzoo is beyond repair, close the doors and stop this inhumane treatment of animals.
Every February, since 2007, I have made 2 trips per year, a month apart, to take photos and document the Alberta Zoo Violations and Animal Protection Act or, to photograph any improvements the zoo has made. I have NEVER witnessed any upgrades before the media published Nic Burgess's, mine, and other CAAWPS members photographs also prove the conditions. As for Nic Burgess's photographs being manipulated is just a complete lie. Lynn Gustafson admitted the photographs by Nic Burgess of the bleeding goat were authentic, he just tried to justify giving no vet treatment to his animals.
Many animal rights groups have tried getting the government to listen, but to no avail. CAAWPS was able to attract everyday people due to our varied membership and simple agenda. This is about animal welfare and public safety, and due to our 14,000 FB members and over 33,000 people signing our petition, we made sure the government could not ignore this issue anymore.