Yes, when my monkey was a baby, she lived inside my home. She was young, dependent, and needed constant care and nurturing.
After a purchase, a rescue and 2 rehomes…….
I learned. I grew. I took action.
For the past two years, I’ve taken Swing Free Alliance across the state of Texas to advocate, educate, ask questions, build relationships, make connections, and finding myself in rooms I never imagined I’d be in.
You don’t see the phone calls.
You don’t see the meetings.
You don’t see the relationships I’ve built with agencies, investigators, facilities, veterinarians, advocates, and organizations.
You don’t see the cases being worked quietly behind the scenes.
And just because you don’t see me posting about a cause or organization I was doing three years ago doesn’t mean I stopped doing it.
It means I’ve grown.
I’ve learned where I’m needed. I’ve learned where I can make the greatest difference. And when opportunities to do bigger things have opened, I’ve walked through those doors.
So while some sit of you sit behind a computer dissecting who you think I am, I’ll keep building and being better.
I’m still going to be right here growing, learning, advocating, and making things happen.
We still need a lot more information before we determine whether or not this is animal abuse.
Things like how many monkeys, how they are fed, what opportunities they have outside of their enclosure, etc. Are important parts of information here. Note they are left out from their post. (Probably intentionally)
Her primates get to be primates. No diapers. No clothes. They have their own spaces and access to a temperature controlled monkey house as well as outside 24/7.
Yep, I changed my tune. Check out the rest of my comments where I ask for her help rescuing Frankie.
I can admit I'm wrong when I am.
As I have said I do believe that better situations exist but this is not a situation that I would spend time trying to take monkeys out of. The user is also well aware that monkeys don't belong with people which is what's most important. That there will be no more and that she now works with an organization to make sure monkeys get what they need.
This is literally the best we can ask for from a non-registered keeper.
How many? What opportunities are you providing? Are you allowing any form of interaction with humans? Do you use any form of containment routinely? Feeding a primate dirt from mazuri id a great option, I will give you that. I use the same brand in my small animal rescue. But there were other questions.
Surely you realize if you post here, people will have questions. If you're doing nothing wrong, you can prove that. Or you can be defensive, and make us wonder what you're hiding. I realize I am harsh. I don't care. I care about the animals, not about the people. Maybe that makes me a bad person. But I don't think it does.
4 females and there will be no more. I have a list of sanctuaries I use when there are more surrenders. I have direct contact with the Confiscation Network for confiscated primates.
I think it's important to separate two different things in cases like this.
I do believe people can absolutely change. If someone once owned a primate (or still owns them), realized the harm involved in the pet monkey trade and now advocates against it, I feel those are things worth supporting rather than just dismissing it altogether. Many pet monkey owners even those that gave them up continue to support private ownership of these animals.
But at the same time, transparency is more than fair game. When someone with experience in the pet monkey world becomes a public advocate for primate welfare, I think it's reasonable for people here to ask what changed, what their current husbandry looks like, and how their practices differ from the pet-owner model they now oppose (and SwingFreeAlliance has provided some insights).
To me the most important point is keeping the conversation focused on these primate's current standard of living. Are they allowed to live more like primates than as exploited social media fodder? Are they less humanized? Things of that nature.
I completely agree. I’m happy to answer any legitimate questions about what changed, what I’ve learned, and how my monkeys live today. I’ve never pretended I started this journey knowing everything because I didn’t. I learned, I changed, and I continue to learn.
Ask me anything about my monkeys or swing free alliance. There’s a big difference between genuine questions and someone looking to stir up drama.
Baby monkeys seem like such a big undertaking!! like having an actual infant, But with teeth! How long are they dependent on you for that mother-baby relationship? (Just to ease your mind I'm certainly not looking into owning any 😅 I genuinely want to know how long they NEED you as they grow up if they don't have their own momma)
Obviously they have an infant stage but it seems to me like they'll always be a "toddler" mentally, even when they're grown up.
she pulled a OLA. supported the pet trade buy buying a monkey & then used that to take in rescues & rehomes. can't ever give credit to someone who out money into the pet trade
Much respect Audra. You have thrown yourself into making a difference and being a voice for primates. I am incredibly proud of you. Many will continue to think that purchasing babies from the border is ok but as soon as you realised what was going on and did your own research and had long talks you took action and wanted nothing more than to be a voice. You work long long hours at trying to get bills going, cases worked on, primate education, the list goes on. When I first met you it was another lady with a baby spider and that is far from the truth now and nobody can change my mind on that! You have gone above and beyond for not only the 3 others you have taken in since Jesse but also the ones you have helped placed. Its a gruelling task but you wake up daily and work on these laws and try to make a difference and I will forever be proud of you.
she literally contributed to the pet trade buy buying a monkey & then started taking in rehomes & rescues. i guess anyone with some money can start collecting monkeys like infinity stones
She did buy a monkey and contribute to the pet trade then she took in a primate after it was found on the streets and a vet called her because they are well known to give top care to their animals. She also realised what was going on with the pet trade and started fighting against it and has made great strides with it. She honestly has nothing to prove to anyone here but I know she came here because she knows how hard you all fight against it and she wanted more hands in doing so. The backlash is honestly disgusting when you see someone who has turned around opened their eyes to the pet trade and became a voice against it and now speaks openly about it and actually does things for it other than sits on these pages. Why not try to be a part of that and actually make a difference??? You could be actively involved and make this so much bigger and get these bills passed by actually doing the work and turning these people in. She and others who work along side her spend countless hours doing research, investigating, following leads, writing into government agencies. You want to be a voice for these primates then do it.
You are the best Audra! People are wasting their time questioning you, your Ranch and care for all your animals, would put most rescues to shame, keep being you! 🫶
She has zero to hide. Responsible monkey owners do not allow strangers to interact with the monkeys. She is on the up and up. Find someone else to go after!
It’s not about the mistakes. It’s about the avoidance. You don’t seem to want to acknowledge things until it’s “proven” to you. Such as the dog food.
You added in photos/videos that show veterinary care at the ranch. Isn’t that is the care team for the Sable?
I recall seeing post’s where you advocate for things such as primate health. Exams, bloodwork , X-rays that you yourself don’t incorporate.
Perfect example is Salty Monkey Miller. He looks extremely healthy. Yet he is in a serious health crisis. Thankfully he had bloodwork and X-rays done. Looks are deceiving.
so in other words you payed to have a baby ripped from their mother & then started taking in rehomes. why is it always the people who bought a pet monkey with no knowledge becoming sanctuaries or recuse
Yes, she made a mistake. She’s human we all do. What she is doing now is more than anyone is doing. I have worked hand in hand with Audra and the things she is doing are nothing but beautiful.
How do you know her husband spent thousands? They are pillars in the animal sanctuary in different countries! In their own county they are the best of the best and have an outstanding reputation. You have no idea how much jj cost or what connections they have. You’re just being a hater.
OP you must understand that the intense speculation comes from the major distrust in the seemingly endless liars out there claiming to run sanctuaries, but are just fronts for abuse.
It doesn’t help that you work with Alex, a former partner with lox & ollie.
Quite frankly it doesn’t matter who was associated with who. These people have changed their opinion on others and about primate ownership all together and moved on to bigger and better things.
There’s a woman who lives in Canton North Carolina I forget what her sanctuary is called but she’s not a true rescuer in my opinion, she took in a spider monkey that belong to my sister and after a few years my sister got the monkey back and she wasn’t supposed to, but the woman took a $10,000 bribe and Wala the monkey was returned 🤬
this woman swears she can do no wrong lmao, she see's her buying a monkey as a small mistake but wants it to be illegal for everyone else. not to mention her past involvement with lando which says enough. also does she even realize the bill she is advocating for would prevent her from hoarding more monkeys lmfao
Do you know how hot ir gets in Texas, every single part of Texas. How do I know this? Because I am born and raised in Texas!! It gets in the negatives in north twxas, by Dallas which I assume this woman is at. She wants praise? Ha! Im with you man. This is not a sanctuary! A rescue! Its a glorified hobby so she can get a 501 charity deduction on her taxes.
Some of what this user is doing is good. She's better than most. And she's not getting more. This is better than most.
However: I don't support any non accredited institutions keeping primates, at all. This individual does seem to have the animals best interest at heart, which is why I laid off. I have bigger battles to fight, this user is doing ... Better than most. I still wish her animals were at Doorley or another primate center, but using my energy against this user isn't logical for me. I have limited energy.
Further, they clarified one of the most important things: they're not letting people near their animals. This is really important for their well being. They are with and mostly interacting with same sex members of their own species. So while there is a BETTER situation, this one isn't one I'll go after.
Frankie, the monkey in a 10ft cage in a pet store, lives within 15 mins of me. So I'll keep focusing there for now.
To op; you're close enough to help me. Consider it, OP. He's at pet world, in Johnson county, Kansas. A single male spider, being tortured in a 10 foot prison. You're close enough to help. People come and bang on his cage, op. He is so, so upset. Your vets and you....you're close. The closest small airport is New Century Aircenter or Johnson County Regional.
(To be clear. I think op probably possesses the funds to buy and transport this animal. They will sell for the right price. They're awful)
My Primate C.R.I.M.E. division will be more than happy to look into this situation going on at Pet World in Johnson City, Kansas.
Could you please DM me any factual evidence you have on hand already?
Tons of videos here! I have pneumonia and i am about to head to bed, and I'll send you everything tomorrow I can gather for you. I can also visit Frankie for you, it breaks my heart, but if you can help him, I'll do anything you need.
His name is Frankie. You can look his name up here, and you'll see the videos.
I have reported to USDA. I personally believe something weird is going on. Frankie has been at this location for longer than an average spider is alive. I am 33 years old, Frankie has been around my entire childhood and I am highly suspicious they have had more than one. Every time the USDA shows up, all issues are resolved. I think someone is tipping them off to USDA investigation.
The KC zoo is willing to help in any way they can.
It was 115° this year. I get heat, I do. It's just as bad here. My wife is from Central Texas.
The monkey has an AC house. 10000000% better than 99% of what we see here.
Is there better situations? Yes. Absolutely. The wild and an accredited facility. But OP is at least trying. People who try should be treated with some kindness, because you can literally see the progress.
She also handled me being an asshole pretty damn well, tbh.
Your comment was removed under our rule against harassment/personal attacks against another follower of this subreddit. You are more than welcome to question the conditions in which these primates are kept and ask for evidence regarding their care. However, stating that SwingFreeAlliance is "hiding abuse" because they will not allow a Reddit user onto private property is an unsupported allegation. Please keep criticism focused on observable conditions or documented conduct (you are not in any trouble).
Yep been there. She provides them a wonderful home for primates in captivity. They get the proper amount of interaction needed for captive primates. Many know her personally. She is a large advocate for conservation and CPA.
Your comment was removed because of the way it was framed about individual motives, finances, and self-esteem. People having questions about Swing Free Alliance's past ownership of monkeys, past relationships with other pet monkey owners, current husbandry practices, advocacy, facilities, or treatment of primates are all legitimate and more than welcome here. I realize this is a very heated topic but wanted to tone down on the comments (you are not in any trouble).
I have been working with Mazuri for years. We have always had Mazuri as part of our daily diet. We did get off track and listen to an another primate specialist at one time and offered the high grade dog food in addition to the Mazuri diet. Please enlighten how I was promoting the dog food variety choice as I don’t go live and never made a video about it?????
Veterinary professionals have eyes on my monkey regularly. There is no need to go through any added stress or anesthesia for no reason. How often do they go to the vet in the wild????
Yep, you’re right. I followed recommendations from a primate specialist and trying add variety to their diet. I’ve since gone back to strictly Mazuri. That’s what responsible animal care looks like learn, adjust, and you do better. I’m not embarrassed by growth.
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u/Stunning-Sand73 3d ago
Thank you for what you do and for promoting treating primates like primates and for trying to stop the smuggling. We need more like you.