{"id":417108,"date":"2026-10-02T20:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T20:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/417108\/"},"modified":"2026-10-02T20:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T20:40:12","slug":"peta-calls-for-investigation-into-fort-lauderdales-capybara-cafe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/417108\/","title":{"rendered":"PETA calls for investigation into Fort Lauderdale&#8217;s Capybara Caf\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PETA is asking Fort Lauderdale officials <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/media\/news-releases\/capybara-cafe-prompts-peta-call-for-investigation-into-legality-closure\/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeTSZLab3NMmAj-kvOpGqn9JiHL_NjmrGqAS4vzfgWnjmuU1mecCvFKOrPAVA_aem_e3g7fx84VT-HnQjnZNVDXw\">to investigate and shut down Capybara Caf\u00e9<\/a>, the new animal encounter business in the Thrive District. The group says the caf\u00e9 lacks required city approvals and raises concerns about where the animals stay after customers leave.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.miaminewtimes.com\/food-drink\/you-can-pet-capybaras-at-this-new-fort-lauderdale-cafe-40587151\/\">New Times covered the caf\u00e9\u2019s opening on September 22<\/a>, including its supervised animal encounters and its role in funding Noah\u2019s Ark Sanctuary. A day later, PETA called for officials to close the operation and move the animals to reputable facilities. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"743\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screen-Shot-2026-09-22-at-12.32.33-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40587167\"  \/>The attorney argues that neither the caf\u00e9\u2019s commercial zoning nor the residential property\u2019s zoning allows the operation.<\/p>\n<p>City cites residential property<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-city-cites-residential-propertyaccording-to-axios-september-28-report-city-staff-found-no-cafe-zoning-or-land-use-violation-warranting-action-officials-did-cite-the-residential-property-for-housing-wild-animals-and-opened-a-case-over-an-unpermitted-enclosure-and-pond-the-owner-has-until-october-8-to-address-animal-housing-and-october-14-to-address-the-construction-violation-the-cafe-did-not-respond-to-requests-for-comment-peta-identifies-that-residential-property-as-the-place-where-the-cafe-s-animals-stay-overnight-in-a-september-22-letter-to-senior-assistant-city-attorney-rhonda-montoya-hasan-the-group-s-attorney-argues-that-neither-the-cafe-s-commercial-zoning-nor-the-residential-property-s-zoning-allows-the-operation-as-described-the-letter-also-says-the-cafe-s-business-tax-receipt-application-remained-under-review-as-of-september-22-peta-raises-animal-health-concerns-peta-s-complaint-extends-to-the-animals-health-the-group-says-a-september-17-visitor-documented-capybaras-with-signs-consistent-with-respiratory-illness-and-a-fennec-fox-with-signs-consistent-with-intestinal-parasites-according-to-the-letter-veterinarian-dr-mason-payne-reviewed-visual-evidence-and-recommended-a-veterinary-evaluation-for-the-fox-these-concerns-come-from-that-review-but-the-letter-does-not-establish-confirmed-diagnoses-peta-is-calling-on-fort-lauderdale-officials-to-enforce-the-law-peta-foundation-managing-director-of-captive-wildlife-debbie-metzler-said-in-the-group-s-announcement-on-its-official-faq-the-cafe-says-noah-s-ark-sanctuary-operates-the-business-trained-staff-supervise-encounters-and-limits-on-session-size-and-duration-protect-animal-welfare-it-also-says-proceeds-support-the-sanctuary-s-animal-care-the-cafe-s-website-continues-to-advertise-bookings-capybara-cafe-744-nw-fifth-ave-unit-1111-fort-lauderdale-capycafeftl-com\">According to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/local\/fort-lauderdale\/2026\/09\/28\/fort-lauderdale-capybara-cafe-exotic-animals-thrive-district-peta\">Axios\u2019 September 28 report<\/a>, city staff found no caf\u00e9 zoning or land-use violation warranting action. Officials did cite the residential property for housing wild animals and opened a case over an unpermitted enclosure and pond. The owner has until October 8 to address animal housing and October 14 to address the construction violation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-city-cites-residential-propertyaccording-to-axios-september-28-report-city-staff-found-no-cafe-zoning-or-land-use-violation-warranting-action-officials-did-cite-the-residential-property-for-housing-wild-animals-and-opened-a-case-over-an-unpermitted-enclosure-and-pond-the-owner-has-until-october-8-to-address-animal-housing-and-october-14-to-address-the-construction-violation-the-cafe-did-not-respond-to-requests-for-comment-peta-identifies-that-residential-property-as-the-place-where-the-cafe-s-animals-stay-overnight-in-a-september-22-letter-to-senior-assistant-city-attorney-rhonda-montoya-hasan-the-group-s-attorney-argues-that-neither-the-cafe-s-commercial-zoning-nor-the-residential-property-s-zoning-allows-the-operation-as-described-the-letter-also-says-the-cafe-s-business-tax-receipt-application-remained-under-review-as-of-september-22-peta-raises-animal-health-concerns-peta-s-complaint-extends-to-the-animals-health-the-group-says-a-september-17-visitor-documented-capybaras-with-signs-consistent-with-respiratory-illness-and-a-fennec-fox-with-signs-consistent-with-intestinal-parasites-according-to-the-letter-veterinarian-dr-mason-payne-reviewed-visual-evidence-and-recommended-a-veterinary-evaluation-for-the-fox-these-concerns-come-from-that-review-but-the-letter-does-not-establish-confirmed-diagnoses-peta-is-calling-on-fort-lauderdale-officials-to-enforce-the-law-peta-foundation-managing-director-of-captive-wildlife-debbie-metzler-said-in-the-group-s-announcement-on-its-official-faq-the-cafe-says-noah-s-ark-sanctuary-operates-the-business-trained-staff-supervise-encounters-and-limits-on-session-size-and-duration-protect-animal-welfare-it-also-says-proceeds-support-the-sanctuary-s-animal-care-the-cafe-s-website-continues-to-advertise-bookings-capybara-cafe-744-nw-fifth-ave-unit-1111-fort-lauderdale-capycafeftl-com\">The caf\u00e9 did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-city-cites-residential-propertyaccording-to-axios-september-28-report-city-staff-found-no-cafe-zoning-or-land-use-violation-warranting-action-officials-did-cite-the-residential-property-for-housing-wild-animals-and-opened-a-case-over-an-unpermitted-enclosure-and-pond-the-owner-has-until-october-8-to-address-animal-housing-and-october-14-to-address-the-construction-violation-the-cafe-did-not-respond-to-requests-for-comment-peta-identifies-that-residential-property-as-the-place-where-the-cafe-s-animals-stay-overnight-in-a-september-22-letter-to-senior-assistant-city-attorney-rhonda-montoya-hasan-the-group-s-attorney-argues-that-neither-the-cafe-s-commercial-zoning-nor-the-residential-property-s-zoning-allows-the-operation-as-described-the-letter-also-says-the-cafe-s-business-tax-receipt-application-remained-under-review-as-of-september-22-peta-raises-animal-health-concerns-peta-s-complaint-extends-to-the-animals-health-the-group-says-a-september-17-visitor-documented-capybaras-with-signs-consistent-with-respiratory-illness-and-a-fennec-fox-with-signs-consistent-with-intestinal-parasites-according-to-the-letter-veterinarian-dr-mason-payne-reviewed-visual-evidence-and-recommended-a-veterinary-evaluation-for-the-fox-these-concerns-come-from-that-review-but-the-letter-does-not-establish-confirmed-diagnoses-peta-is-calling-on-fort-lauderdale-officials-to-enforce-the-law-peta-foundation-managing-director-of-captive-wildlife-debbie-metzler-said-in-the-group-s-announcement-on-its-official-faq-the-cafe-says-noah-s-ark-sanctuary-operates-the-business-trained-staff-supervise-encounters-and-limits-on-session-size-and-duration-protect-animal-welfare-it-also-says-proceeds-support-the-sanctuary-s-animal-care-the-cafe-s-website-continues-to-advertise-bookings-capybara-cafe-744-nw-fifth-ave-unit-1111-fort-lauderdale-capycafeftl-com\">PETA identifies the residential property as where the caf\u00e9\u2019s animals stay overnight. In a September 22 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Letter-to-City-Attorney-R.-Hasan.pdf\">letter to Senior Assistant City Attorney Rhonda Montoya Hasan<\/a>, the group\u2019s attorney argues that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/lifestyle\/entertainment\/are-capybara-cafes-ethical\/?utm_source=PETA::Google&amp;utm_medium=Ad&amp;utm_campaign=0422::veg::PETA::Google::SEA-Vegan-Grant::::searchad&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=96533821&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADu2DAtgKhz7oH9NwnIgZa8sgcfmB&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwrP3VBhBbEiwAnaqpQ1fddJg_kEsLS-OW7RdjjBl0NCbg8W7dG0cSjwUou229UjOO4QxuRBoCfYsQAvD_BwE\">neither the caf\u00e9\u2019s commercial zoning <\/a>nor the residential property\u2019s zoning allows the operation as described.<br \/>The letter also says the caf\u00e9\u2019s business tax receipt application remained under review as of September 22.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"804\" width=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/capybara-cafe.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40587165\"  \/>Capybara Cafe opens in Fort Lauderdale by Noah\u2019s Ark Sanctuary, where visitors can pet, feed, and interact with capybaras and other animals.<\/p>\n<p>Sign up now for free updates on openings, closings and all the food news that matters<\/p>\n<p>THANK YOU!<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;re all set.<\/p>\n<p>CLOSE\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>PETA raises animal health concerns<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-peta-raises-animal-health-concernspeta-s-complaint-extends-to-the-animals-health-the-group-says-a-september-17-visitor-documented-capybaras-with-signs-consistent-with-respiratory-illness-and-a-fennec-fox-with-signs-consistent-with-intestinal-parasites-according-to-the-letter-veterinarian-dr-mason-payne-reviewed-visual-evidence-and-recommended-a-veterinary-evaluation-for-the-fox-these-concerns-come-from-that-review-but-the-letter-does-not-establish-confirmed-diagnoses-peta-is-calling-on-fort-lauderdale-officials-to-enforce-the-law-peta-foundation-managing-director-of-captive-wildlife-debbie-metzler-said-in-the-group-s-announcement-on-its-official-faq-the-cafe-says-noah-s-ark-sanctuary-operates-the-business-trained-staff-supervise-encounters-and-limits-on-session-size-and-duration-protect-animal-welfare-it-also-says-proceeds-support-the-sanctuary-s-animal-care-the-cafe-s-website-continues-to-advertise-bookings-capybara-cafe-744-nw-fifth-ave-unit-1111-fort-lauderdale-capycafeftl-com\">PETA\u2019s complaint extends to the animals\u2019 health. The group says a September 17 visitor documented capybaras with signs consistent with respiratory illness and a fennec fox with signs consistent with intestinal parasites.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-peta-raises-animal-health-concernspeta-s-complaint-extends-to-the-animals-health-the-group-says-a-september-17-visitor-documented-capybaras-with-signs-consistent-with-respiratory-illness-and-a-fennec-fox-with-signs-consistent-with-intestinal-parasites-according-to-the-letter-veterinarian-dr-mason-payne-reviewed-visual-evidence-and-recommended-a-veterinary-evaluation-for-the-fox-these-concerns-come-from-that-review-but-the-letter-does-not-establish-confirmed-diagnoses-peta-is-calling-on-fort-lauderdale-officials-to-enforce-the-law-peta-foundation-managing-director-of-captive-wildlife-debbie-metzler-said-in-the-group-s-announcement-on-its-official-faq-the-cafe-says-noah-s-ark-sanctuary-operates-the-business-trained-staff-supervise-encounters-and-limits-on-session-size-and-duration-protect-animal-welfare-it-also-says-proceeds-support-the-sanctuary-s-animal-care-the-cafe-s-website-continues-to-advertise-bookings-capybara-cafe-744-nw-fifth-ave-unit-1111-fort-lauderdale-capycafeftl-com\">According to the letter, veterinarian Dr. Mason Payne reviewed visual evidence and recommended a veterinary evaluation for the fox. These concerns come from that review, but the letter does not establish confirmed diagnoses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-peta-raises-animal-health-concernspeta-s-complaint-extends-to-the-animals-health-the-group-says-a-september-17-visitor-documented-capybaras-with-signs-consistent-with-respiratory-illness-and-a-fennec-fox-with-signs-consistent-with-intestinal-parasites-according-to-the-letter-veterinarian-dr-mason-payne-reviewed-visual-evidence-and-recommended-a-veterinary-evaluation-for-the-fox-these-concerns-come-from-that-review-but-the-letter-does-not-establish-confirmed-diagnoses-peta-is-calling-on-fort-lauderdale-officials-to-enforce-the-law-peta-foundation-managing-director-of-captive-wildlife-debbie-metzler-said-in-the-group-s-announcement-on-its-official-faq-the-cafe-says-noah-s-ark-sanctuary-operates-the-business-trained-staff-supervise-encounters-and-limits-on-session-size-and-duration-protect-animal-welfare-it-also-says-proceeds-support-the-sanctuary-s-animal-care-the-cafe-s-website-continues-to-advertise-bookings-capybara-cafe-744-nw-fifth-ave-unit-1111-fort-lauderdale-capycafeftl-com\">\u201cPETA is calling on Fort Lauderdale officials to enforce the law,\u201d PETA Foundation Managing Director of Captive Wildlife Debbie Metzler said in the group\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-peta-raises-animal-health-concernspeta-s-complaint-extends-to-the-animals-health-the-group-says-a-september-17-visitor-documented-capybaras-with-signs-consistent-with-respiratory-illness-and-a-fennec-fox-with-signs-consistent-with-intestinal-parasites-according-to-the-letter-veterinarian-dr-mason-payne-reviewed-visual-evidence-and-recommended-a-veterinary-evaluation-for-the-fox-these-concerns-come-from-that-review-but-the-letter-does-not-establish-confirmed-diagnoses-peta-is-calling-on-fort-lauderdale-officials-to-enforce-the-law-peta-foundation-managing-director-of-captive-wildlife-debbie-metzler-said-in-the-group-s-announcement-on-its-official-faq-the-cafe-says-noah-s-ark-sanctuary-operates-the-business-trained-staff-supervise-encounters-and-limits-on-session-size-and-duration-protect-animal-welfare-it-also-says-proceeds-support-the-sanctuary-s-animal-care-the-cafe-s-website-continues-to-advertise-bookings-capybara-cafe-744-nw-fifth-ave-unit-1111-fort-lauderdale-capycafeftl-com\">On its official FAQ, the caf\u00e9 says Noah\u2019s Ark Sanctuary operates the business, trained staff supervise encounters, and limits on session size and duration protect animal welfare. It also says proceeds support the sanctuary\u2019s animal care. The caf\u00e9\u2019s website still advertises bookings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-peta-raises-animal-health-concernspeta-s-complaint-extends-to-the-animals-health-the-group-says-a-september-17-visitor-documented-capybaras-with-signs-consistent-with-respiratory-illness-and-a-fennec-fox-with-signs-consistent-with-intestinal-parasites-according-to-the-letter-veterinarian-dr-mason-payne-reviewed-visual-evidence-and-recommended-a-veterinary-evaluation-for-the-fox-these-concerns-come-from-that-review-but-the-letter-does-not-establish-confirmed-diagnoses-peta-is-calling-on-fort-lauderdale-officials-to-enforce-the-law-peta-foundation-managing-director-of-captive-wildlife-debbie-metzler-said-in-the-group-s-announcement-on-its-official-faq-the-cafe-says-noah-s-ark-sanctuary-operates-the-business-trained-staff-supervise-encounters-and-limits-on-session-size-and-duration-protect-animal-welfare-it-also-says-proceeds-support-the-sanctuary-s-animal-care-the-cafe-s-website-continues-to-advertise-bookings-capybara-cafe-744-nw-fifth-ave-unit-1111-fort-lauderdale-capycafeftl-com\">Capybara Caf\u00e9. 744 NW Fifth Ave., Unit 1111, Fort Lauderdale; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/capycafeftl.com\">capycafeftl.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PETA is asking Fort Lauderdale officials to investigate and shut down Capybara Caf\u00e9, the new animal encounter business&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":417109,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[5884,15823,249,251,250],"class_list":["post-417108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-animals-wildlife","tag-broward","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/417108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=417108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/417108\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/417109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=417108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=417108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=417108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}