Has anybody ever had issues with a shelter?

Question

I'll try to keep this as short as possible. Sorry for the lack of spacing, but im typing this on my phone and there isnt an enter button :s. About 6 months ago, i surrendered my 2 treasured parrots to a bird rescue in melbourne. I felt guilty because i was living in a house where they couldnt get out of their cages, and their quality of life had changed dramatically. I was not sure how long i would be in the house, and i made the regretful decision to surrender them to a shelter where they could be properly cared for, rather than keep them where they would not be as happy. It was made clear to me that the people would be keeping my fids as pets and i could readopt them when i found a place of my own. I asked if it was possible to board them, but they never offered a service. 6 weeks later i amazingly found a place of my own- got in touch with the shelter and they told me both birds had been rehomed. Naturally i was heartbroken. Last week, i happened across the shelters adoption site and found both birds avaliable for adoption. Although they had apparently been rehomed seperately they had come back at the same time. I got in touch with the shelter, who said she was having family troubles and required an adoption fee of $500 for both birds. Considering this is more than the price of a baby hand reared gcc and blue quaker combined i thought it was a bit much. Didnt have the money, asked to borrow some from family and friends who all told me it was a scam. The lady has since admitted she does offer a bird sitting service, that she lied to me about the birds being adopted, and that she needs the money to support herself. Is it just me or is this completely unethical in every way? It feels like she is blackmailing me for my pets, and she clearly is not concerned about their best interest. I have contacted consumer affairs of victoria and am awaiting a reply. Is there anything else i can do? I wish i had never entrusted them to her- she has lied to me repeatedly and completely broken my trust. I honestly thought i was doing the best thing for my pets and am devistated by this outcome. What else can i do?

soozannah@sbcglobal.net · Accepted Answer

I am so very sorry to hear your story and am behind you 100% and just know you'll get those babies back, I just know it!  You can look into finding a local bird club in your area and enslit their help.  Maybe you can find a few of them that will go over to this a___H___ of a woman's dwelling and talk some sense into her or maybe the club can take up a donation and make an offering to her to just give them up for that and let those traumatized fids get back with their mom...  look into maybe a bird rescue somewhere close by where you are  - what you need is some group clout - send me her address and I'll write a very persuading letter to her and explain what she's doing is wrong.  Birds are so much more than property.  I've heard many stories of people thinking their birds would "be better off" and in places where they just aren't allowed, that's true but if there's any way on God's green Earth to hold on to them, they're always much better off with whom they know and love and trust than someone that just wants to sell them or thinks of them as a bankroll.  With intelligence equal to a 3 or 4 year old, how can people be so cruel?  Honey, you just keep a constant pressure on this gal - just keep at her and get some people behind you - there are lots and lots of bird lovers everywhere.  Advertise on craigslist.com or bring it up to your local news - get some publicity going!

Suzi Q · Answer

No offense, but how much do you think it would cost to board them for 6 months?

"It was made clear to me that the people would be keeping my fids as pets and i could readopt them when i found a place of my own."  

What?  When you surrendered those birds - you lost all rights to them.  Surrendering is permanent - shelters don't "hold" surrendered pets, or readopt to the former owners. You can't even make that claim unless you have a clear, signed, legal contract which specifically states those terms.   The shelter or rescue became the legal owner.  She is not blackmailing you for YOUR birds, as they don't belong to you anymore.   If you wanted your birds back, you shouldn't have relinquished them in the first place.  And btw...once relinquished, shelters/rescues are under no obligation to give you ANY information.

If you want them back, you better pay up, and stop filing complaints.  She's been taking care of them for 6 months, and is entitled to be reimbursed for board fees.  Where I live, that would cost a minimum of $900.   You are not paying her for the cost of the birds - you are paying for board.   You should consider yourself lucky that they are even available.

Yes, she may have lied...but none of this would have happened if you would have been responsible and taken care of the birds yourself, rather than dump them on someone else.

I run a small bird rescue, and once birds are relinquished, they are NEVER returned to the owner who dumped them.  They've already shown themselves to be irresponsible.

ashleyhaddon · Answer

The first thing you need to do is contact the authorities and see if they can do anything for you. Also see if she is registered with any rescue organizations or has a tax number (charities and rescues require one so they can accept donations.) this would be your biggest bargaining chip in getting them back. If she does have one all you have to do is report what she has done and is doing and that she is using the money for the organization to support herself. if she doesnt have a number and is operating on her own, see is she has more animals than your city limits allow. 

You can use these methods one of two ways. blackmail her to get your animals back. I would however offer to pay a reasonable amount. birds do require a large amount of money to care for as im sure you know, so i would pay her what it costs you to provide for them for the same amount of time. 

You could also at that point call the authorities in. If she has more than allowed you can adopt the birds back from the city.  

good luck

moggie · Answer

I would go to where she and the birds are with a large sign with a write up on what she is all about and tell her you arent leaving without them, and that you will show your sign to everyone out front of her home or establishment, that you will tell everyone about her scam, and that should she refuse to return the birds to your care you will be calling the television and newspapers. I would also take paperwork she must sign relinquishing them to your care. I would take a friend with you, cages for the birds, and video anything that transpires.



I have done a similar thing when scammed by a car yard over a car. It worked for me. They hate the bad publicity and shame it brings to the home or workplace.

verticalsmurf · Answer

Turn up at the facility, if your birds recognise you and are happy to see you, just take them home and give them affection and loves.
If the proprietor denies you, get yourself a lawyer who specialises in contract law. They lied about not having boarding facilities, they said they would keep the birds as pets, and they lied about adoption.
Multiple breaches of contract. The proprietors financial situation has nothing to do with you.

Also, I paid $600 each for my Blue Quaker, Charlie (RIP) and my Sun Conure, Phoenix. How could it be that you paid $500 for both?

Has anybody ever had issues with a shelter?

5 Answers