I also am in the middle of a golden pass ticket, 10 more levels to go, and my companion animals have removed and now I can barely move to gain anymore golden pass rewards. The pass will end before I can complete., so I'm bummed. Also, I don't see my comments anymore asking to please bring them back. I'm passed level 5000.
Being in the no companion animal test group really sucks. In the 5000s level and getting too hard to keep going. Is this a test to see if people will pay for gold bars ?