Unlike accredited zoos like the Bronx Zoo, San Diego Zoo, the Los Angeles Zoo, these are private menageries, and these people are frightened and there is an existential fear that they are going to be shut down by the government, by PETA, by HSUS, by animal rights groups. So they, generally, are very guarded.

In this quote, Eric Goode contrasts accredited zoos—such as the Bronx Zoo, San Diego Zoo, and Los Angeles Zoo—with private menageries, or smaller, privately owned collections of animals. Goode points out that while accredited zoos are often publicly funded and regulated, private menageries operate on a different scale and face unique challenges. These private owners, according to Goode, are often concerned about their businesses being shut down by government regulations or activists from organizations like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) or the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States), who advocate for animal rights.

Goode suggests that this fear of being targeted by animal rights groups contributes to the cautious or guarded behavior of private menagerie owners. These individuals often worry about the existential threat posed by potential legal actions or public backlash, which could result in the closure of their operations. As a result, they tend to be more secretive and defensive about their practices, knowing that they are under scrutiny from both the government and the public.

The quote highlights the tension between private animal collectors or zoos and the growing animal rights movement, which has been critical of the practices of private menageries. Organizations like PETA and the HSUS advocate for the ethical treatment of animals, often pushing for stricter regulations on how animals are kept and treated in captivity. For private menagerie owners, this advocacy can create a climate of fear regarding their ability to continue operating.

Ultimately, Goode’s quote sheds light on the challenges faced by private animal owners who are caught between their passion for housing exotic animals and the pressure from animal rights groups and government entities that are pushing for reforms. The tension between animal welfare and private ownership reflects the broader debate over the ethics of keeping animals in captivity and the balance between regulation and freedom for private enterprises.