Animal rights activists are outraged at the outcome of a heartbreaking series of events. P’Nut, a popular pet squirrel, was seized from his home by New York wildlife officials. His owner, Mark Longo, had just begun the necessary steps to have his beloved pet returned when he received the news that P’Nut had been euthanized by the state. P’Nut was a widely known social media star with fans worldwide, and they’ve taken the news very hard.
Longo didn’t seek out an illegal pet just for fun. He rescued P’Nut as an infant after witnessing his mother struck and killed by a passing vehicle. Longo initially attempted to release the young squirrel into his backyard, but it quickly became apparent that P’Nut wasn’t capable of living independently in the wild. So, Longo kept him at home. P’Nut became best friends with Longo’s cat, and, before he knew it, his accidental pet had become a social media sensation, bringing joy to thousands. Wanting to ensure that P’Nut’s positive impact extended beyond the internet, Longo started an animal sanctuary called “P’Nut’s Freedom Farm.” The nonprofit is now home to 250 animals, giving those who were homeless or neglected a second chance at life.
P’Nut was seized from his home on October 30 along with a raccoon named Fred after the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) expressed concerns about keeping wildlife as pets. They also cited concerns about rabies following a reported biting incident involving P’Nut and a police officer. Fans quickly learned of P’Nut’s removal and worked tirelessly to secure his release. Thousands signed a petition, and donations poured in to cover any legal fees necessary to ensure that P’Nut could return to his human family.
Sadly, these efforts came to nothing. Reportedly, P’Nut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon were euthanized by the state on the very day they were taken from their family. The DEC again cited rabies concerns as their reason for choosing to act swiftly in euthanizing the beloved animals. Mark and Dani Longo were heartbroken upon hearing of P’Nut’s fate, expressing their apologies to their cherished pet and disappointment in the DEC’s decision. Longo has also shared his gratitude for the joy P’Nut brought to his life and has vowed to continue advocating fiercely for rescued wildlife.
In addition to their animal rescue efforts, Mark and Dani are also successful OnlyFans content creators. In light of the raid on their home and the euthanization of their beloved animals, they have posed a question that… well, it festers.
Was their home raided in retaliation for the way they go about earning income online? Socially, OnlyFans content creators face more scrutiny for their behavior and decisions than people do in just about any other profession. The couple has faced no other legal action regarding their unlicensed rescue center, yet the two animals that frequently made appearances in their online content were seized and euthanized with no opportunity for appeal. It’s understandable to question the motivation behind the raid, given that rabies was presented as the reason; yet no other animals were taken, despite rabies being a highly contagious disease.
When it comes to rescuing animals that aren’t domesticated, keeping them as pets is generally discouraged, with a few rare exceptions. Should P’Nut have continued to remain one of those exceptions? We’ll never know. But one way to honor his legacy is to learn more about local wildlife rescues and discover ways to help would-be P’Nuts in your area.
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