In the quiet town of Farmington, Washington County, a legal battle is brewing between a beloved zoo and its neighbors. At the heart of the conflict is Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven for over 800 animals, ranging from white tigers to lemurs, which has been a fixture in the community since 1979.
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary has long operated with a conditional use permit, allowing it to host special events on its 100-acre property. However, plans to expand by constructing a new facility for events like weddings and picnics have sparked a lawsuit from nearby residents.
The town of Farmington recently modified Shalom’s permit, enabling the zoo to continue hosting events, a practice they’ve upheld for three decades. The expansion aims to provide amenities for school trips and other gatherings. However, a group of neighbors, organized under “We Love Farmington,” has challenged the validity of this permit in a lawsuit filed in February.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue that the expansion infringes upon local ordinances. The Fechters, owners of the sanctuary, expressed their concerns on Facebook, stating, “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.”
Complaints against Shalom have reportedly been filed with state and local authorities by the group since 2021. This coincides with the arrival of Leann and Bruce Beehler, who moved into the area that year. Additional complaints were lodged by Andrew Willetts and his wife, who purchased a neighboring property last November.
The Willettses have refrained from public comment, instead releasing a statement through their attorney: “The legal filing is not about shutting down the Zoo, but rather about protecting our family’s safety and privacy and ensuring that local ordinances are applied fairly for all residents, particularly around the expansion of the zoo and the addition of a new event space/wedding venue on a residential property.”
Despite the legal tensions, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary enjoys considerable community support. Residents have rallied, creating yard signs with the help of a local printing company to express their backing. Susan Behrends, a lifelong West Bend resident, emphasized the community’s connection to the zoo, noting, “The people that are coming out and advocating for Shalom are people who care about the facility, who regularly use it, who have visited. It has been part of their family culture for decades, and they’re doing what they can to help raise funds to help with legal costs and be able to have the zoo still exist.”
