Strange warning signs on the gates of this jail.

Richard brings in the ponies that are kept all day long in the enclosure next to the jail. He's still three and a half months in prison. He's been convicted of possession of majijuana. "I love animal, so I asked to go down to the zoo. I prefers to be with the animals than with the other inmates. Time flies faster outside."

Jeanne Selander has been running the zoo for about ten years. This marine biology graduate is an animal lover. We call it the "Animal Woman". She's opening the gate for Richard so he can bring in the ponies inside the jail for the night.

Richard and David are waiting for Jeanne to open the secure gate for them to bring the ponies home for the night.

The Sheriff's Office Animal Farm features all sorts of animals, both the traditional farm animals like miniature horses, Angus the steer, chickens, pigs, goats and rabbits as well as exotic animals like Mo the Sloth, one Kinkajou, Kelsey the Lemur, and for sure alpacas

Three inmates, including Richard, and David, await the tasks for the day in the early morning. Their days are spent feeding the animals, cleaning their cages, taking care of them.

Shane feeds Coco the Skunk

The jail has an artificial pond in which geese, ducks, pigs and sows come to snort and cool down.

Shane feeds geese and pigs near the pond

Richard and David bring the little horses into their enclosure for the night

David has been here for 2 1/2 months. He has to stay another two months. He is charged with dangerous driving while drunk. In life he is a computer engineer, but he really likes taking care of animals because as a child he lived on a farm.

Shane has been here for nine months. He still has three months in jail. He was charged with drug possession. He had no difficulty convincing management to take care of the animals because he himself has many animals at home. He likes to take care of it and here he gives the impression of being free.

Shane and David preparing meals for all the animals.

Shane feeds Julien the Lemur

Richard, Shane and david during a break.

among the many tasks that inmates must perform during the day, cleaning animal pens is an important one

Twice a month, the farm invites the public in to fawn over the animals.

Jeanne welcomes visitors to the zoo twice a month. Some families are regular visitors. Children and their parents will be in contact during their visit with the inmates.This has never been a problem.

Shane feeds Mo the sloth,the zoo mascot, in the birdhouse.Just behind him is Misty a Moluccan cockatoo repeatedly says “I love you” to visitors during an open house day.

a little girl playing with a ferret.

Richard still three and a half months in jail. He's been convicted of possession of majijuana. "I love animal, so I asked to go down to the zoo. I prefers to be with the animals than with the other inmates. Time flies faster outside."

The inmates with the children look at the enclosure where the alligator is located

Visitors are greeted by Mo the sloth, who is regularly an ornament cradled in Selander’s arms as guests arrive. "Everyone thinks he is hugging me, but really he just thinks I’m a tree," Selander said.

Shane has been here for nine months. He still has three months in jail. He was charged with drug possession. He had no difficulty convincing management to take care of the animals because he himself has many animals at home. He likes to take care of it and here he gives the impression of being free.

parents with Shane show a ferret to the children

Visitors are greeted by Mo the sloth, who is regularly an ornament cradled in Selander’s arms as guests arrive. "Everyone thinks he is hugging me, but really he just thinks I’m a tree," Selander said.

every evening after their day in the zoo, the prisoners return to their cells with the other prisoners

Visitors are greeted by Mo the sloth, who is regularly an ornament cradled in Selander’s arms as guests arrive. "Everyone thinks he is hugging me, but really he just thinks I’m a tree," Selander said.