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West Bend, WI
Highest-Ranked Zoo in Wisconsin
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Legal Defense
Dear Supporters of Shalom Wildlife Zoo,
Today we have to take a break from writing about animals and wildlife activity at the Zoo to update you on something less pleasant and very serious.
About a month ago we posted that Shalom Zoo is under attack by a group of Shalom haters who are doing everything in their power to shut us down. By now some of you may even be aware that Shalom has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by two of our neighbors. The persons suing us is, Andrew Willetts and Leann Beehler, who have created an organization called “We Love Farmington.” Andrew Willetts is married to Jeneva Willetts, who is a renowned author who goes by the name Jeneva Rose. Leann Beehler is married to Bruce Beehler, who was formerly the veterinarian at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Their lawsuit seeks a court order invalidating our conditional use permit (CUP) which was granted to us back in 1995 by the Town of Farmington, Washington County. In 2024 the Farmington Town Board again updated and approved our CUP. Then in late 2024 Shalom increased our footprint again with the purchase of addition property. After 4 public meetings, in January 2025 the Town Board again approved Shalom Zoos CUP.
The January 2025 updated CUP allows us to expand Shalom Zoos operations to hold special events, such as weddings and corporate gatherings. We have been doing these events for the last 30 years, but now it will be in a much-upgraded facility on the new property. The area will also provide a space where school children can get out of the elements to enjoy their picnic lunches when visiting.
We very much would like to share this beautiful and wonderful new addition with you our loyal supporters and visitors. Their lawsuit threatens our ability to do that. Even more concerning, this lawsuit seeks to essentially end Shalom Wildlife Zoo as we know it.
The plaintiffs want the court to order that the Zoo has been violating various laws and ordinances for decades. We find these allegations ridiculous given that we have never been cited by the Town of Farmington, the County, or the State for any ordinance violations.
To our surprise, after reviewing the documentation we have received in discovery in this case and through Open Records requests, it is clear that there is a concerted effort to shut down the Shalom Zoo and our operations. Since the Beehlers moved into our area around 2021, Shalom has been subjected to numerous complaints made with state and local government and agencies, including the Town of Farmington, the DNR, and even the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Leann Beehler has been aided in her efforts by RJ Kahn, the president of the Forest at Farmington a homeowners association which is located behind the Zoo, and also Andrew Willetts, who moved in across the lake from us last year.
Shalom Zoo was in operation a decade before there was a Forest at Farmington homeowners association and many decades before there were people named Bruce & Leann Beehler and Andrew & Jeneva Rose Willetts living in the Town of Farmington.
Today, we filed a counterclaim and complaint against "We Love Farmington", Leann Beehler, Andrew Willetts, and RJ Kahn.
Click here.
https://drive.google.com/.../1VyYXFHJO9.../view...
And here.
https://drive.google.com/.../1vEDM6UpYsHO.../view...
In it, you will see all the baseless complaints made against us the past few years. It is a clear attempt to harass our Zoo operations to shut Shalom down and force us to spend money to defend ourselves.
This is where we need your help. Because the We love Farmington members and RJ Kahn are attacking us on many fronts, we have had to hire several attorneys who specialize in each area. Attorneys are expensive, and the legal fees are piling up. This is part of their strategy. They want to harm our business by causing us to take revenues that normally we could put back into the Zoo, and instead is forcing us to spend it on legal fees. If you would like to help with a donation to Shalom Zoo Legal Defense Fund, please click here https://www.paypal.com/donate/...
Please note, donations to help save Shalom are given from the heart and are not tax deductible.
Thank you,
David & Lana Fechter
Dear Supporters of Shalom Wildlife Zoo,
Today we have to take a break from writing about animals and wildlife activity at the Zoo to update you on something less pleasant and very serious.
About a month ago we posted that Shalom Zoo is under attack by a group of Shalom haters who are doing everything in their power to shut us down. By now some of you may even be aware that Shalom has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by two of our neighbors. The persons suing us is, Andrew Willetts and Leann Beehler, who have created an organization called “We Love Farmington.” Andrew Willetts is married to Jeneva Willetts, who is a renowned author who goes by the name Jeneva Rose. Leann Beehler is married to Bruce Beehler, who was formerly the veterinarian at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Their lawsuit seeks a court order invalidating our conditional use permit (CUP) which was granted to us back in 1995 by the Town of Farmington, Washington County. In 2024 the Farmington Town Board again updated and approved our CUP. Then in late 2024 Shalom increased our footprint again with the purchase of addition property. After 4 public meetings, in January 2025 the Town Board again approved Shalom Zoos CUP.
The January 2025 updated CUP allows us to expand Shalom Zoos operations to hold special events, such as weddings and corporate gatherings. We have been doing these events for the last 30 years, but now it will be in a much-upgraded facility on the new property. The area will also provide a space where school children can get out of the elements to enjoy their picnic lunches when visiting.
We very much would like to share this beautiful and wonderful new addition with you our loyal supporters and visitors. Their lawsuit threatens our ability to do that. Even more concerning, this lawsuit seeks to essentially end Shalom Wildlife Zoo as we know it.
The plaintiffs want the court to order that the Zoo has been violating various laws and ordinances for decades. We find these allegations ridiculous given that we have never been cited by the Town of Farmington, the County, or the State for any ordinance violations.
To our surprise, after reviewing the documentation we have received in discovery in this case and through Open Records requests, it is clear that there is a concerted effort to shut down the Shalom Zoo and our operations. Since the Beehlers moved into our area around 2021, Shalom has been subjected to numerous complaints made with state and local government and agencies, including the Town of Farmington, the DNR, and even the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Leann Beehler has been aided in her efforts by RJ Kahn, the president of the Forest at Farmington a homeowners association which is located behind the Zoo, and also Andrew Willetts, who moved in across the lake from us last year.
Shalom Zoo was in operation a decade before there was a Forest at Farmington homeowners association and many decades before there were people named Bruce & Leann Beehler and Andrew & Jeneva Rose Willetts living in the Town of Farmington.
Today, we filed a counterclaim and complaint against "We Love Farmington", Leann Beehler, Andrew Willetts, and RJ Kahn.
Click here.
https://drive.google.com/.../1VyYXFHJO9.../view...
And here.
https://drive.google.com/.../1vEDM6UpYsHO.../view...
In it, you will see all the baseless complaints made against us the past few years. It is a clear attempt to harass our Zoo operations to shut Shalom down and force us to spend money to defend ourselves.
This is where we need your help. Because the We love Farmington members and RJ Kahn are attacking us on many fronts, we have had to hire several attorneys who specialize in each area. Attorneys are expensive, and the legal fees are piling up. This is part of their strategy. They want to harm our business by causing us to take revenues that normally we could put back into the Zoo, and instead is forcing us to spend it on legal fees. If you would like to help with a donation to Shalom Zoo Legal Defense Fund, please click here https://www.paypal.com/donate/...
Please note, donations to help save Shalom are given from the heart and are not tax deductible.
Thank you,
David & Lana Fechter
Donating to Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
Every day, caring individuals donate to Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary LLC—and 100% of every donation goes directly toward supporting the animals that reside at our facility.
Donations come in many forms:
- Monetary Donations: These can be made by check, money order, or credit/debit card over the phone.
- Supply Donations: Items such as animal bedding, cleaning and sanitizing products, and other daily care essentials are always appreciated.
- Building Material Donations: We welcome contributions like fencing, gravel, stone, culverts, landscaping supplies, and lumber to help maintain and improve our facility.
- Enrichment Donations: With over 80 species at the zoo, our animals benefit greatly from mental and physical stimulation. If you have a favorite animal and would like to donate an enrichment item, simply search online for “zoo enrichment ideas” tailored to that species.
- Food Donations: We accept canned fruits and vegetables, fresh and frozen meats, seasonal produce, and even expired food items that are no longer suitable for human consumption. All donated food is carefully inspected by our qualified zookeepers before being served.
How to Donate
Send checks or money orders via U.S. Postal Service to:
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
1901 Shalom Drive
West Bend, WI 53090
To donate by credit card, please call us at (262) 338-1310 extension 402. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
Requesting a Donation From Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
Every year, we receive hundreds of requests from various schools, troops, clubs, church groups, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and other fundraisers.
*All requests are considered. Due to staffing workload requirements, all requests must be submitted in January.
