The Zoonatiks in Home Sweet Home

After a disappointing run in the circus, three close animal friends set out to secure steady work and a place to live at an elite zoological park. Shelby Turtle, Bill the Bear, and Knuckles J. Monkey leave their old life behind and present themselves at the zoo, only to discover that fitting in is harder than they expected. The friends try different jobs and rely on one another through awkward interviews, mismatched skills, and strict zookeepers. Humorous mishaps pile up as they learn new routines, test the limits of rules, and negotiate what home and belonging mean when acceptance seems reserved for a chosen few. Small wins and embarrassing setbacks build their days, and friendship keeps them aiming for home.

Released in 1997, the animated feature was directed by Joey Ahlbum and created by Paul Parducci, James Giordano, and R.J. Reiley, the three also voice the main characters here.

No reliable box office records are available, and the film appears to have had a limited or niche release rather than a wide commercial run, distribution seems limited, with occasional circulation through small festivals, regional screenings, or direct-to-video outlets also.

Though it didn't break into mainstream pop culture, The Zoonatiks in Home Sweet Home has occasional interest among collectors and animation historians, who note its small-scale character work and quirky, old-school cartoon sensibility. It surfaces in niche retrospectives, fan blogs, and academic courses as an example of low-budget independent animation.

Critical records are sparse, reflected by a 0.0/10 vote average with no votes recorded, so mainstream reception is unclear. The film focuses on friendship, belonging, the struggle to find work and shelter, and how persistence and teamwork reshape identity. Tone is gentle and aimed at children, with simple moral lessons.