The man who started the Genesis Wildlife Center in Scranton is explaining why he has now decided to close it.
Poconos veteranian Dr. Tom Miller said it was his love of exotic animals that prompted him to start the free wildlife center in Scranton seven years ago. However, he said, recent false allegations are now forcing him to close the center for good.
"We have a private facility at my residence, at my private residence, and that is where the animals will go," Dr. Miller said.
The veterinarian said he's not sure when he will move his 25 exotic animals back to his Pocono Lake private property.
The animals have been living at the Genesis Wildlife Center in Scranton's Nay Aug Park for the past seven years.
About six monthes ago, Miller said, allegations started spreading of poor building conditions and infractions at the center, many of which the Poconos veteranian said are untrue.
"We have never had any infractions from the game commission ever in our 30 years of owning these animals," said Miller.
However inspection reports from the USDA posted online reveal the facility did have some infractions in 2005 and 2007, mostly building and upkeep related.
Miller said those are issues the city of Scranton was responsible for, not him.
"Lately we have taken a fair amount of criticism for some of the conditions, really the building, which was an agreement with city to really maintain the building," the veterinarian added.
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty said the city has always worked well with the Genesis Wildlife Center and any building infractions from the USDA had been corrected.
The recent bad press has left Dr. Miller regretting his decision to take his animals public. He and his wife will be moving them back to his private property in Pocono Lake and shutting the Genesis Wildlife Center down for good.
"They were our private pets for years and years so we will take them back again as our private pet," Miller added.
He declined to give a tour of where the animals soon will be living. He fears for the safety of the animals with all of the negative publicity.
The Genesis Wildlife Center will still remain open free to the public for the time being.
Poconos veteranian Dr. Tom Miller said it was his love of exotic animals that prompted him to start the free wildlife center in Scranton seven years ago. However, he said, recent false allegations are now forcing him to close the center for good.
"We have a private facility at my residence, at my private residence, and that is where the animals will go," Dr. Miller said.
The veterinarian said he's not sure when he will move his 25 exotic animals back to his Pocono Lake private property.
The animals have been living at the Genesis Wildlife Center in Scranton's Nay Aug Park for the past seven years.
About six monthes ago, Miller said, allegations started spreading of poor building conditions and infractions at the center, many of which the Poconos veteranian said are untrue.
"We have never had any infractions from the game commission ever in our 30 years of owning these animals," said Miller.
However inspection reports from the USDA posted online reveal the facility did have some infractions in 2005 and 2007, mostly building and upkeep related.
Miller said those are issues the city of Scranton was responsible for, not him.
"Lately we have taken a fair amount of criticism for some of the conditions, really the building, which was an agreement with city to really maintain the building," the veterinarian added.
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty said the city has always worked well with the Genesis Wildlife Center and any building infractions from the USDA had been corrected.
The recent bad press has left Dr. Miller regretting his decision to take his animals public. He and his wife will be moving them back to his private property in Pocono Lake and shutting the Genesis Wildlife Center down for good.
"They were our private pets for years and years so we will take them back again as our private pet," Miller added.
He declined to give a tour of where the animals soon will be living. He fears for the safety of the animals with all of the negative publicity.
The Genesis Wildlife Center will still remain open free to the public for the time being.
