If you ask any killbuyer, he will say he does a service to the horse community by 
eliminating excess horses from the industry and freeing up stalls for equine professionals to continue to operation and make profit.
But there are horses that even the killbuyers don’t want. Horses that are so lame they are rejected at auction. Since we live in capitalist society, where there is a need, there is opportunity: there is Zoo Guy.
Lots of people have questions about ‘Zoo Guy.’ To be honest, I don’t know much about him. I have only seen him lurking in the parking lot. I have been told he buys horses to feed lions. I don’t think he is a licensed Zoo dealer. I suspect he is contracted by someone who is keeping exotic animals in their backyard.
I know there are two licences rendering plants in NJ that process horses for zoos. They typically process local older, unsound, or unruly horses that are brought to them by owners. They use a shotgun and process 5 to 10 horses per month. On a rare occasion, they will visit New Holland Auction. I have seen their rig at the auction only once. It is distinctly different than Zoo Guy’s rusty old truck and stock trailer.
I do not believe the Zoo Guy is associated with Bravo or Scooby Meatpacking that processes horses for zoos. I was told that Zoo Guy uses a “live feed.’ However, I have never confirmed what I was told. After I heard the words “live feed” I was too speechless and slightly nauseous to ask a single question.
I understand Lions need to eat too, but I am not a fan of wild animals in captivity for human enjoyment.
If it were up to me, I would send the lions back to Africa and put the Zoo Keepers in the cages and feed them organically grown vegetables. I don’t watch animal adventure shows on Television where the lion eats a zebra. I cringe when I see Zoo Guy and the hair on my spine stands up when I see him walking across the parking lot with a hobbling pony.
Yes, we did save the pony from Zoo Guy. The pony was examined by the veterinarian who determined it was best to humanely euthanize her, which we did. She was euthanized by injection. ERN paid $75 to purchase her from Zoo Guy, and $175 for veterinary services and removal.
This year ERN purchased 3 horses from Zoo Guy. One 3 year old Thoroughbred now in Virginia, named Moose. The other is Jazzy, a 2 year old Arabian in a new home in Ohio. And the pony.
I am not sure what the Lions had for dinner. I would like to think they ate Veggie burgers. But, when I look at these horses and am thankful they were not a lion’s dinner.
R.I.P Little Pony.
you should not second guess what you did, the little pony was suffering and you put the poor thing out of it’s pain, the only way it should be done, yes lions need to eat but not horses, dogs or cattle, take them back to when they hunt for them selves. you did the right thing for the little pony.
I believe you did the right thing saving this pony – especially if the Zoo Guy does “live feeds”. I recognize that lions need to eat and feel that if a reputable buyer purchases lame horses and humanely euthanizes them in order to feed them, while unpleasant, it is a fact of life. Keep up the great work, Janine!
I find it so ironic that the misconception of kill buyers is that they take everyone’s old, sick horses and do what they do, with absolutely no concern for the horse’s well being. When in reality, they want the healthy horses to sell to someone who will slaughter them and sell their meat for human consumption. So, by saving this pony, you became the real owner, the only one doing the responsible thing for the animal..so I look at the kb and the slaughterhouse guy and see a huge waste of time for their own selfish gain to get to the same end causing more pain for the animals when all they needed was someone to kindly euthanize them. How inhumane is that…thank you for doing the very right thing.. Joanne
Rest in peace, sweet little pony! Free the lions!
What auction is the zoo guy at ? He needs to be investigated, and find out where he brings these horses.
I think it’s terrible to use horses for food for a predator. They need to use a different alternative. Like road kill.
I think what you did for the pony was the right and most compassionate thing to do, I would have hated to have known that poor little pony was going to be a lions dinner or any horse or pony for that matter!! I think what you are doing to help these horses is very heroic. You are doing the right thing by following your heart and God Bless you thousand times for doing it. I will keep you & the horses in my daily prayers.
I understand that lions and other kept carnivores have to eat, but don’t do live feedings. That’s cruel abuse to a domestic animal that has been loved and cared for in their life. There needs to be regulations and laws against live feedings!!!!
I understand the food chain but detest unneccesary animal cruelty. Why does the lions feed need to be ‘live”? If in captivity it is not living how it would naturally so it does not require a live animal!!!
If an animal needs to be euthanased…do it humanely with a pat/hug and kind words…not literally thrown to the lions! Or abbatoirs or wherever else that is a horrible end to their life…
I agree with what you did. I understand it wasn’t an easy thing to do either. I also think wholeheartedly that what you did was better than “live feeding” the lions.. Granted “pony” was in bad shape and needed an end. But to torcher said “pony” would not be very humane.. Live feeding would be scary torture, and suffering on “ponies” behalf… Yes the lions need to be fed but, not with our companion animals…..
You did NOT cross any lines with this “pony”…
Thank you,
Jeannette Mott
I think what you did is comendable. The pony need not got to the lions. It deserved a better way out of this life, not more torture. You did the right thing.
I am thankful you rescued the pony and you could do the right thing for him I wish I could afford to save more I just rescued one my self
I am so happy that you have saved these horses and pony from the “zoo guy”. That you agreed to have the pony humanly euthanized was the proper/acceptable way to deal with it, but I do have to wonder how the pony was disposed of after it died. Was it butchered? Buried? Cremated? If it was my pony I would have a big hole dug in my back yard to give it a decent burial since it would have been a beloved member of my family. I, too, cringe at the thought of using any animal as “live” feed. That is so disgusting! How could anyone even think of doing that to a living animal??? Reminds me of Jurassic Park and how live feed was used for some of the carnivore dinosaurs! Though it was all fake, it was still disgusting. RIP little pony. Know that there are many who loved and cared about you!
I know all animals need to eat but I agree about wild animals need to be in the wild. It’s a shame how humans can be so cruel to allow these horses to get in such horrible shape to begin with. Yes, cages (jail) is where they belong.
You did the right thing for that poor little pony. I commend you for your compassion.
Thank you.
You did the right thing for that poor little fellow! I also cringe when I read these posts.A few months ago there were pictures of a group of young 2-3 yr old Belgians that went to slaughter. That picture stayed with me to this day! They never did anything to deserve that kind of end,they were young healthy horses. Very sad,but our world today is a terrible place. No doubt to me you did that little pony a great justice. Bonnie
I would like to hear more about the Zoo Guy if you find out more. Specifically if he supplies real zoos or backyard operations and how the horses are killed. If the are shoot in head and not made to suffer. Or really fed live. I would think animal cruelty charges would come from that.
i think yall do one hell of a job and Yes yall did the right thing..remember opinions are like assholes everyone has them and there will be smartasses that voice a bad review or comment negative about everything..i think yall do an outstanding job and keep up the good work!!! yall have to weigh the good with the bad..and as far as the lions go send them back to africa as they dont deserve to be in a cage either locked up for life..but dont feed it an horse or pony that some human has messed its life up..soo i say carry on and save those beautiful horses,ponies and foals…
I’m glad you bought him, Janine. I think you did the right thing.
what a beautiful letter
I don’t condone cruelty in any form, but when I read this story all I see is ‘ I don’t know but I think’ syndrome. If you are not sure about something then you’re first action should be to make sure you do know. If ERN have purchased this animal because they ‘think’ it ‘might’ be in danger then that’s their perogative, but don’t start malicious gossip if you’re not 100% sure
There is 100% certainty , that the zoo guy kills horses one way or another. I’ve heard live aslo , don’t know if that’s true. But that’s what he says. We need to spread the word , lions are not pets and don’t belong as pets and no one should have a road side bogus zoo. Either way this person is not spreading lies. It’s true. I live in a the area and have heard all about his man
cant the lions eat already processed meat? And why on earth does someone have lions anyway? Or are they running an exotic animal hunt?
I read your post daily. I would really be interested in finding out the facts of the ZOO guy. Are they live feeds? That is disturbing, these horses are domesticated. Isn’t there a law for that, inhumanely feeding live horses to lions? Would you be able to have a conversation with him and ask these horrible questions??
I agree with your decision to pull the pony and humanely euthanize him. You are on the forefront seeing these poor babies on a weekly basis, it is your decision. I cannot imagine being in your shoes on any good day!
I think you did the right by the pony. If the vet says he was in pain the best thing is to humanely euthanize. I don’t know why people think this life is so great !
everytime i read posts like this, i feel the need to jump up and scream. i admire and salute the rescue people who would take funds that are so hard to come by and give one horse or pony or donkey a dignified end. eaten alive by lions…really where are you from zoo man? r.i.p. little paint pony. and thank you over and over to the saviors.
There is no way that I believe a horse, pony, cow…ANYTHING should suffer a horrible death such as being live feed for anything. I cringe at the thought of it. You were able to help the pony die without pain and fear. Thank you.
Somebody needs to put zoo guy in the lion pen. End of problem.
during their life most horses depend on their owners for food and safety Horses are the prey and I think it is the ultimate betrayal for them to trustingly be lead into a situation where their fight or flight response cannot be used. They follow humans anywhere, and then to be lead to a place where they will be eaten alive. I would not be able to endure the shock in their eyes, when they realize what is happening. As we all know, all serial killers started out by killing animals for enjoyment. SO, I wonder what else this guy does.
Thank you so much for the work you are doing.