Animal Justice has escalated efforts to rescue Boogie, a macaque monkey who has been suffering at Bervie Zoo in Kincardine, Ontario. After years of inaction, we’ve filed a formal complaint of misconduct against Animal Welfare Services (AWS), urging immediate intervention to transfer Boogie to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary.
Boogie has spent years isolated in a small, barren cage. She paces, spins in circles, and bites herself—repetitive behaviors called stereotypies, which are indicative of long-term suffering in captivity.Â
Macaques like Boogie are highly social animals who need companionship, space, and freedom—all of which Boogie is being deprived of.Â
Boogie Has Been Failed by Ontario Authorities
Animal Justice first brought attention to Boogie in 2022 during the largest zoo exposé in Canadian history. Footage from our investigation revealed Boogie’s heartbreaking situation and aired nationally on CTV’s investigative program W5. This exposé highlighted not only Boogie’s suffering but also Ontario’s lack of proper zoo regulation and enforcement.
Animal Justice visited Bervie Zoo again in 2023 and 2024, saw Boogie suffering, and filed multiple complaints with AWS. Yet Boogie continues to languish in a cage. Animal Justice’s formal complaint urges the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector to act immediately by removing Boogie from her neglectful environment and transferring her to a sanctuary where she can finally experience proper care in a suitable home.
Bervie Zoo is no stranger to AWS, with the agency seizing dozens of animals from the roadside zoo previously after they were found living in a dark, filthy barn that reeked of urine and feces. This includes a baboon named Bruno, who now lives at Story Book. Bervie is also facing outstanding animal welfare charges for the mistreatment of animals.
Ontario’s Weak Zoo Laws Hurt Animals
Boogie’s suffering speaks to a broader problem of lack of legal protections and poor animal law enforcement in Ontario. Ontario has the weakest zoo laws in Canada—zoos aren’t even required to have a license to operate. This regulatory gap allows roadside zoos like Bervie Zoo to proliferate in the province, where animals often live in inadequate conditions.
Despite having a vastly larger budget than its predecessor, AWS has repeatedly failed to enforce animal protection laws since taking over investigations from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) in 2019, and generally refuses to share information about its enforcement efforts. Boogie’s case underscores the urgent need for stronger laws and more effective, transparent enforcement to protect animals.
Help Save Boogie
Join us in urging AWS and the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector to take swift action to rescue Boogie.
Together, we can help ensure Boogie gets the life she deserves and push for stronger protections for others like her.
