KRISTINA M.

BRUNNER
Complaint Letter
Page 1 of 2

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Attention: Dr Robert Gibbens, D.V.M.
Director - Animal Care - Western Region
Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Animal Care (AC)
2150 Centre Ave B 3W11
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526-8117
May 18, 2006
Dear Dr. Robert Gibbens, D.V.M.:
I respectfully submit additional information supporting my allegations that the Animal
Sanctuary of the United States, dba The Wild Animal Orphanage, does not provide
adequate veterinary care for their 800+ animals.
Ms. Asvestas claimed to have hired in 2003 an In-House Veterinarian in the WAOs
2003 Annual Report. This claim was also made in brochures and on the WAOs web
site. The Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners served the WAO with a
cease and desist letter requesting the immediate discontinuation of this false claim. As
the result of their investigation, the In-House Veterinarian, Ms. Rachelle Farvour,
agreed to voluntarily comply with requirements of Section 801.251, License Required, of
the Veterinary Licensing Act (Chapter 800, Occupations Code). Ms. Rachelle Farvour
is now listed on the WAOs website as an animal care technician.
Upon review of the WAOs Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990)
for the last six years, I discovered veterinarian expenses were not listed for the years
2003 and 2004 the same years that the WAO claimed to have acquired an In-House
Veterinarian.
Filing Year of Form 990

Animal Related Costs

1997

Animal Feed/Hauling
Vet Fees/Supplies

$8,054
$4,103
$12,157

Animal Feed
Animal Hauling
Vet Care

$12,298
$1,199
$6,070
$19,567

Animal/Supply Hauling
Feed
Vet Care

$7,265
$11,173
$6,422
$24,860

Animal Hauling

$10,325

1997 Total
1998

1998 Total
1999

1999 Total
2000

Amount

KRISTINA M. BRUNNER
Complaint Letter
Page 2 of 2

Feed
Vet Care

$16,224
$10,123
$36,672

Animal Care/Feed/Hauling
Vet Care

$45,690
$8,810
$54,500

Animal Care and Feed

Animal Hauling

$64,822
$28,407
$93,229

Animal Care and Feed

Animal Hauling

$81,630
$28,502
$110,132

2000 Total
2001 (unable to obtain)
2002
2002 Total
2003
2003 Total
2004
2004 Total

According to source documents (internet articles and/or WAO newsletter appeals) the
WAO housed approximately 329 animals in 1999; 600+ animals in 2001; 600+ animals
in 2004; 800 animals in 2005. Due to the variety, number of new animals and higher
feed prices, the cost of animal feed increased significantly.
On the weekends, I have personally seen animals requiring immediate medical
attention. I was told that the animals would receive care on Monday by Ms. Asvestas
on more than one occasion. I later learned the animals did not survive the night.
Please contact me if you have any questions concerning my original package or my
subsequent addendums. I can be reached at (210) 335-2369 (daytime) or (210) 6471789 (nighttime). Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

Kristina M. Brunner