Protect the animals and their caregivers at Miami Seaquarium
Grouper fish in turbid water with cloudy cornea, photo taken January 17th, 2024 at Miami Seaquarium
Update 5.9.2024: Miami-Dade County issues a motion to dismiss Miami Seaquarium’s lawsuit and announces that “the County will, shortly, be filing an eviction action in Florida state court to perfect its claim to take back the leasehold.” This is 146 days since they could have filed such an eviction action.
Our Honor receives 17 files from NOAA in response to our FOIA. See those files here:
File 1 File 2 File 3 File 4 File 5 - much redacted due to attorney/client privilege File 6 - screen shots from private whatsapp chat File 7 - marine mammal data sheet on Bud the Sea Lion File 8 - 2022 discussion of declining health of Toki and plans for her death File 9 - Dr. Jenna Wallace sends NOAA a letter critical of veterinarians with screenshots from a private whatsapp chat, Toki dies and Ruth Ewing to be at University of Georgia necropy File 10 File 11 File 12 File 13 File 14 File 15 File 16 File 17
Dear veterinarians, veterinary professionals, and animal lovers,
As the Executive Director of Our Honor, a non-profit that supports veterinarians and veterinary professionals who suffer harassment and retaliation for voicing ethical concerns, I have received numerous reports from former veterinarians and animal care staff about the poor conditions at Miami Seaquarium. Concerns and violations have also been well documented by recent USDA inspections. It is clear The Dolphin Company's culture of disrespect for the veterinary staff, retaliation against those who voice concerns, insufficient staffing levels to care for the number of animals, and failure to pay delinquent debts have led to animals being deprived of sufficient shelter, sufficient sustenance, thus creating conditions for ongoing torment in violation of Florida's animal cruelty laws.
I visited the Miami Seaquarium on January 17th, 2024, and took photos and videos documenting multiple instances of inadequate housing and husbandry, as well as conditions that lead to ongoing physical and mental suffering that constitute torment. A colleague also visited on February 2nd, 2024, again documenting ongoing concerning conditions.
Attached is a statement outlining our concerns with links to the obtained photos and videos that were reviewed by more than a dozen veterinarians. I am encouraging law enforcement, including the state attorney, to pursue legal action against The Dolphin Company in order to ensure the animals are placed in protective custody at AZA-accredited facilities to ensure the animals receive the housing and care they need.
We have many volunteer veterinarians on standby who are also able to assist if needed.
Would you please sign onto our statement and share this information with your veterinarian?
Letter to the Miami-Dade Police
Click the image to download a high-quality, printable PDF version of this flyer. Please help us spread awareness by printing and distributing them widely at veterinary hospitals, restaurants, gyms, and other businesses!
