For many years I have traveled this highway and stopped at this gas station. I have stopped in every season and every type of weather. Not once have I seen the animals of the "petting zoo" with adequate shelter or food. They are the saddest most forlorn and hopeless looking animals. They have to forage for bits of hay in their feces mixed with mud. In sub zero weather they have nothing but a piece of plywood as a lean to. They stand in 6 inches or more of muck. In the summer they stand all day in the hot sun with no shade or grass and water is minimal. The owner, Mark Yardley, thought it would make his gas station "a destination spot" because travelers could let their children see the animals and stretch their legs, but the message the children get is its ok to mistreat animals and that animals are just a commodity to exploit for entertainmemt. We want to see these animals rehomed to a safe and more natural environment where they can live in comfort. I posted pictures on Facebook and asked others what they thought. The reaction was 100% against the operation of this zoo.
City Council
160 North State St
Scipio, UT 84656
And
Mark Yardley, owner
Please understand that we the undersigned are adamantly against animal abuse and we recognize that while what Mr. Yardley is doing may be within the law, it is not right. We are going to do all we can to get these animals some help. They don't deserve to be forced to live in the horrid conditions they live in. I've seen them in the blazing heat with no water and in freezing weather with no shelter. The food is inadequate and they forage for bits of hay in their feces mixed in mud. The law states these animals should be provided adequate shelter....a piece of plywood is not adequate. We want these animals to be rehomed to a sanctuary. We want these animals to stop being exploited and children to stop being taught that animal abuse is ok. Please help us help them and find a solution.
