We’re thrilled to share that The Kansas City Star has featured Frankie in today’s top story (July 25, 2025)! This marks a major milestone in our campaign, bringing even more public attention to Frankie’s plight and the urgent need to get him to sanctuary.

This coverage is a testament to the growing momentum and public outcry demanding freedom for Frankie after 18 years in solitary confinement at Pet Stop. We’re grateful to every supporter who’s helped amplify his story.

Read the article, share it widely, and keep the pressure on. Frankie deserves better — and together, we’re making sure his story can’t be ignored.

Big news: as of February 21, 2024, Pet Stop applied for a Class B license and passed their first re-license inspection. This means they are now considered ready to be licensed under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and are officially under USDA jurisdiction.

What does this mean for Frankie?

It means we finally have a clear legal path forward. Under the AWA, the USDA now has the authority to ensure Frankie is being treated in accordance with federal regulations — and we believe they may already be in violation.

Here’s why we’re filing a complaint:

Frankie, a highly social capuchin monkey, is kept completely alone, without even visual or auditory contact with other monkeys. This may sound obviously cruel — and it is — but it’s also technically only allowed under strict conditions.

According to USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR Part 3, Subpart D), facilities must address the “psychological well-being” of nonhuman primates. These rules encourage social housing as the default and explicitly state:

“The environmental enhancement plan must include specific provisions to address the social needs of nonhuman primates of species known to exist in social groups in nature.”

In other words: monkeys should not be kept in isolation unless there is a valid, written reason. That reason must:

• Be justified in writing by the attending veterinarian

• Be reviewed and updated at least every 30 days

So far, we have no evidence that Pet Stop has provided any such documentation. That means: They may already be in violation of federal law.

We are in the process of filing an official complaint with the USDA. We’re demanding that they investigate whether Frankie’s continued solitary confinement violates AWA regulations — and we won’t stop until he’s released to sanctuary.

We'll be meeting at Farm to Able Sanctuary on May 4th at 12:00 pm. Join us to get updates on the campaign, contribute ideas, and hang out with some really cool animals. This is a family-friendly event, so feel free to bring children, partners, and friends along! Located at 23100 E Strode Rd, Independence MO 64015. 

Big news! As we continue our fight to get Frankie the life he deserves in a sanctuary, we’re excited to announce that our campaign is now partnering with In Defense of Animals! With their support, we’re bringing even more strength and strategy to this effort.

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Meet in front of Overland Park Christian Church: 7600 W 75th St, Overland Park, KS 66204. Materials for flyering will be provided. Afterward, we will have a campaign meeting at Cardboard Corner Cafe.

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Turnsol Books, 1664 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108 

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Rochester Brewing & Roasting Co. 2129 Washington St, Kansas City, MO 64108