Latest news with #BrittanyPeet
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lake Superior Zoo, Wildcat Sanctuary set to take in SeaQuest animals
The Brief Two Minnesota organizations are set to step in to help animals displaced by the SeaQuest closure. SeaQuest's Roseville location suddenly closed last month, as the company navigates bankruptcy. Following the sudden closure of SeaQuest at Rosedale Center, two northern Minnesota organizations are helping to care for the animals. What we know Last month, SeaQuest, a commercial aquarium company, appeared to suddenly close its location in Roseville. While SeaQuest did not respond to a media request from FOX 9, the business was closed when FOX 9 tried to stop by and the location was marked as "permanently closed" on Google. The Roseville location has also been removed from SeaQuest's website. SeaQuest has closed multiple locations as it goes through bankruptcy. The SeaQuest website lists only four remaining locations across the country, down from 10 in early 2023. Dig deeper SeaQuest has faced major opposition from animal rights organizations over the years, with activists questioning how the company cares for its animals. PETA celebrated the closure of the Roseville location in a statement last month. "Champagne corks are popping at PETA now that this blight on Roseville has finally stopped exploiting and endangering animals," read a provided statement from PETA Foundation General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet. "The SeaQuest chain is a scourge, and PETA will continue to call out its failings until the four remaining outposts follow suit and close up shop for good." What's next This week, the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth and the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minn. announced they would step in to help the animals after the site closure in Roseville. On Monday, the zoo said it was called in by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to evaluate the animals at the aquarium this week. The zoo said it would assist in getting the aquarium animals and fish to new homes, with some of the animals ending up in Duluth. On Tuesday, the Wildcat Sanctuary said it would take in two Bengal cats named Ferguson and Flynn. The sanctuary said both animals were on prescription food due to a "medical condition." What they're saying In a statement provided through the Lake Superior Zoo, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums called the SeaQuest closure a "crisis" situation. The statement reads: "The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) sets the global gold standard for animal care and wellbeing. The SeaQuest closure is an animal care crisis, and as always, AZA and its members and partners are mobilizing to provide critical emergency medical care and housing for as many animals as possible," shared Dan Ashe, president and CEO for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "And this is another reminder for families to always look for the AZA logo when looking for animal experiences. All our 251 AZA-accredited members in 13 countries have met rigorous accreditation standards focusing on animal welfare, animal wellbeing, education, conservation, and guest safety. When you visit an AZA-accredited facility, your family will create positive memories and you will be supporting facilities that ensure that animals in their care are living their best lives." What you can do Both organizations urged people who would like to help the animals to donate: Click here to help the Lake Superior Zoo. Click here to help the Wildcat Sanctuary.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Embattled aquarium chain SeaQuest appears to close Roseville location
After declaring bankruptcy and failing to sell for a discounted price, interactive aquarium chain SeaQuest appears to have closed its Roseville location at Rosedale Center. SeaQuest Roseville, which was investigated by state and federal agencies, no longer appears on the SeaQuest website and according to Google is 'permanently closed.' 'Champagne corks are popping at PETA now that this blight on Roseville has finally stopped exploiting and endangering animals,' said Brittany Peet, general counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement at the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation, in a news release. The Idaho-based aquarium chain filed for bankruptcy in December where it reported up to $1 million in assets and at least $10 million in liabilities. Bankruptcy court records also showed the aquarium chain had dropped its revenue from $27.1 million in 2022 to $15.2 million in 2023. An August 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that SeaQuest Roseville kept animals in hazardous enclosures, failed to clean accumulated mouse feces and let animals go months without regular visits from a veterinarian, according to PETA. Last month PETA filed a brief objecting to the sale of the business for $80,000 to 'company insider' Jeff Cox, who through Noveen Capital, owns a 4% stake in SeaQuest, according to court records. The motion to sell was withdrawn in January and earlier this month the judge ordered the appointment of a Chapter 11 Trustee to manage SeaQuest's estate. 'The surviving animals at SeaQuest Roseville must be transferred to accredited facilities where they can finally get the care they need and deserve. Management at Rosedale Center must ensure that no other animal-abusing business takes its place,' said Aaron Zellhoefer, Minnesota state director of Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, in a statement. A Pioneer Press request for comment was not immediately returned from SeaQuest or the Rosedale Center. Business | Future unclear for animals at embattled Roseville aquarium chain after January sale thwarted Business | House DFL, Republicans reach power-sharing deal, ending struggle that stalled session Business | After bankruptcy filing, embattled Roseville aquarium chain to potentially sell for $80K Business | Made in St. Paul: Plastic trash becomes detail collaged portraits by 'junk art junkie' Sonja Dapper Business | Former Washington County Sheriff's Office deputy sues for alleged sexual harassment
