We recently connected with Alexandra Ashe and have shared our conversation below.

Alexandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Kinkatopia is my heart and redemption from a previous organization I ran during a more challenging time in my life. That mission encompassed anything and everything for the animals. I was executing rescue and rehome, special needs conservation, public education, creating media and fur farm rescue. I didn’t say no to anything — and I mean anything! Once I even took in 72 hamsters! That organization soon grew too large too fast and due to health issues, I needed to take some steps back from the animal world and refocus.

During that year to myself, I ran into hormonal issues with my male kinkajou. A kinkajou (aka honey bear) is a nocturnal rainforest mammal from South and Central America that gets into the US and other parts of the world because of the pet trade. I had impulsively purchased a kink after meeting one, and he lived with me and my menagerie of other animals. It is important to neuter or spay a kinkajou between 4-6 months. Due to lack of information about the species, I went against the little suggestions I had and paid for it tenfold. Kinkajous are ultimately wild animals and keeping him intact catalyzed those instincts, Arkham became too aggressive to handle in 2017 and I haven’t freely handled him since.

I was the person I advise against getting these animals as pets. When I needed help with Arkham’s behavior, I had no one to go to; however, I ran into people that were hitting roadblocks with information about kinkajous like I was. I found my calling. And now I advise people internationally that these animals are not traditional pets. I also facilitate permanent placement for them nationally, take in as many as I can at the sanctuary, and publish information on various platforms to assure this captive species has the best possible life.

Alexandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

ESTABLISHED IN MARCH 2018, KINKATOPIA IS NOW PERMANENT SANCTUARY TO 18 KINKAJOUS (SOMETIMES MORE!) AND VARIOUS OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS! SINCE ITS INCEPTION, I’VE ASSISTED IN THE PERMANENT PLACEMENT OF OVER 100 KINKAJOUS WITH VARIOUS STORIES AND BEHAVIORS NEEDING HOMES. THE MORE PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT KINKATOPIA, THE MORE CASES ARE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. IT IS A GROWING AND CONSTANT BATTLE TO ENSURE THESE ANIMALS A PERMANENT HOME AND EXPERIENCED QUALITY OF LIFE THAT THEY DESERVE.

I EDUCATE THAT THESE ANIMALS ARE NOT TRADITIONAL PETS — MOST ARE VICTIMS OF THE (ILLEGAL) PET TRADE AND ENDLESS CYCLES OF REHOMING AND TERRIBLE CONDITIONS. IN FACT, I HAVE FOUND THAT ONLY 15% REMAIN IN THE HOMES THEY START OUT IN. HOWEVER, I AM IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION INTERNATIONALLY WITH ZOOS, SANCTUARIES, AQUARIUMS, AND PRIVATE OWNERS TO ENSURE THAT CAPTIVE KINKAJOUS ARE RECEIVING THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE. I AM HAPPY TO REPORT NUMBERS APPEAR TO BE IMPROVING IN VARIOUS AREAS DUE TO KINKATOPIA’S INVOLVMENT.

ALL THESE ANIMALS ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO LIVE TWO LIVES IN ONE WHEN THEY ARE INFLUENCED BY KINKATOPIA — WHETHER IN OUR CARE OR FROM AFAR. FOR EXAMPLE, OUR AMBASSADOR KINKAJOU TRASHCAN WAS FOUND IN A DUMPSTER … NOW SHE IS LIVING HER BEST LIFE IMPACTING THE LIVES OF EVERYONE SHE MEETS INCLUDING OUR GROWING TIKTOK PLATFORM. I HAVE HELPED KINKAJOUS INTO WITNESS PROTECTION AND SAVED THEM FROM DEATH ROW. I AM THE MOTHER OF KINKAJOUS.

How did you build your audience on social media?

As of today, Kinkatopia has over 2.3 million followers on Tiktok and 106k+ on Instagram. So how did I go from organically growing my previous organization’s following to 40k, deleting that account to start fresh in 2018, and growing to what we are now in 4 years? It was an uphill battle, but simply put — start a TikTok account and post regularly on Instagram Reels. Creating video content is where it’s at these days.

It was a slow trickle until I went viral by accident on Tiktok in September 2020. I knew at that moment I could really make it or break it by learning the app and running with it. And so I did. I posted up to 4 times a day some days and it paid off! We grew and I have had some incredible business opportunities. But that is small potatoes. The amount of kinkajous we’ve been about to reach is astounding. Social media has truly given Kinkatopia international exposure.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

In keeping with the above theme: TikTok. This platform is a blessing and a curse — I am telling you! But every business owner should have a TikTok to showcase themselves in one way or another. And in most respects, it’s free advertising!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kinkatopia.org/
• Instagram: instagram.com/kinkatopia
• Facebook: facebook.com/kinkatopia
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kinkatopia?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc