Governor Newsom - California Zoos Need To Open!

Please read the Bold Type before signing.

I appreciate all Signatures, but this Petition is specifically in regard to California Zoos. The goal is to gather signatures from California Residents and those who visit California Zoos. 

All Anti-Zoo comments will be deleted.  While there may be issues for those comments, this Petition is not the place for them.

Call to Action:

California Governor Gavin Newsom, needs to immediately re-evaluate the States Zoos, and allow them to re-open. Currently they are in Phase 3 which sets Re-opening at mid-August. Based on other facilities that are similar, and the recent Disregard for the Social/Physical Distancing Orders, delaying Re-opening to the later Phase is not Justified. Delaying Zoos the opportunity to bring in revenue, creates a continued hardship that could eventually threaten the lives of the Animals that live in our California Zoos. The Guidelines are supposed to Protect Lives. The Lives of our Captive Animals need to be considered.

The California Governor and San Francisco Mayor, have said that it's essential to get outside for good mental health. As someone who is a weekly San Francisco Zoo Visitor, it is essential for my good mental health to be able to go to the Zoo. It brings me joy to spend time with the Animals. I'm being denied this for an irrational reason.

Personally, I am sick of being held Hostage, by a Government Plan of Action that has become a Charade. I supported, applauded and followed the Orders. It is not my intention to be judgmental to the leadership we have had in California during this Health Crisis. Governor Newson and our local leaders seem to have done a good job trying to keep everyone healthy and safe, but from the start, masses disregarded orders, and continue to. For that reason I think the Re-opening Timeline is not valid as is.

What set me off about the delay in re-opening my local San Francisco Zoo, was the fact that The City's similar facility, the Botanical Gardens, will be allowed to re-open tomorrow, June 1st. A smaller outdoor facility, with paths that aren't even as wide as at the Zoo. Both have similar protocols in place, yet the Zoo can't re-open for eleven more weeks. It makes no sense.

My research has shown that there is a concern for the amount of Visitors and from where the Visitors may be coming in from. ... I understand that concern, but the logic is curious to me, as there have been masses that have flocked to the beaches and parks, and The City of SF is not monitoring where those people are coming in from, or how many. As well the same can be said for all the people who descended on San Francisco and other California Cities yesterday to Protest the murder of George Floyd.

Until I saw the photos and videos from the Protests turned Riots, I thought a tiered re-opening was a valid compromise option that my SFZoo could seek. Today, I just think Governor Newsom needs to allow all California Zoos with the appropriate space and protocols set, to Re-open.

If people are allowed out at the beaches in mass, like over Memorial Day holiday last weekend, there is no reason people can not visit Zoos who have made changes put forth by the Health Department, and created safe Protocols for their Staff and Visitors. The environment in any Zoo will be more spacious and controlled than in any of the businesses deemed essential, that have remained open through-out this crisis. And certainly more so than any random beach or protest!

The Order of Social Distancing, is clearly out the window. The disregard for Safe, Healthy practices, is not enforced. It is up to individuals to Protect themselves when they are out in Public. It is up to Businesses to monitor their open controlled environments. Allowing Visitors to Zoos, is just as Safe or Safer than going to the Market or Target!

Governor Newsom - Please Open Our California Zoos!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Petition Signers -I encourage those reading this, who sign, to add what California Zoo (s) you visit. ... Also remember if you are a Zoo Employee, you can sign "Name Withheld" .