Popular Washington County zoo caught in land legal battle

A private zoo in Washington County is under legal fire with neighbors over a land permit to help expand operations.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary has been operating in the town of Farmington since 1979 — with more than 800 animals from white tigers to lemurs — on its 100-acre site.

A project to build a new facility for weddings, picnics and other events has led to a lawsuit from several neighbors. 

The wildlife sanctuary operates under a conditional use permit granted by the Town of Farmington near West Bend. The town updated the agreement last January after Shalom purchased more land nearby for the building project. It allows the zoo to continue holding special events — something they say they have been doing for the last 30 years. The area would also provide a picnic space for when children visit during school trips. 

“We very much would like to share this beautiful and wonderful new addition with you, our loyal supporters and visitors,” zoo owners, David Fechter and Lana Fechter, said in a statement on Facebook. “Their lawsuit threatens our ability to do that. Even more concerning, this lawsuit seeks to essentially end Shalom Wildlife Zoo as we know it.” 

According to the lawsuit filed in February, some nearby residents under the organization “We Love Farmington,” claim the permit given to Shalom is invalid. 

Shalom says they have been subjected to complaints from the group made with state and local powers like the Department of Natural Resources and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department since as early as 2021.

That’s when, according to the counterclaim filed by Shalom, Leann Beehler and her husband, Bruce Beehler moved into a residential property nearby.

Last November, Andrew Willetts and his wife also purchased a residential property adjacent to the zoo. The counterclaim says the Willettses soon joined the Beehlers in their complaints regarding the sanctuary.

The Willettses declined comment, referring instead to a statement provided by 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,” the attorney stated.

The Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary has received much support online from some Washington County residents. With the help of a local printing company, neighbors have even created yard signs to show their support. 

Susan Behrends is a lifelong West Bend resident and supporter of the zoo. 

“The people that are coming out and advocating for Shalom are people who care about the facility, who regularly use it, who have visited,” Behrends said. “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.”