- Report: #192394
Complaint Review: H.A.W.K.E. Melanie Cain-Stage And Samuel Stage - Elkton Florida
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H.A.W.K.E. Melanie Cain-Stage And Samuel Stage
5285 ST AMBROSE CHURCH ROAD ELKTON FL 32033 Elkton, 32033 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
904-692-1777
Web:
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H.A.W.K.E. Melanie Cain-Stage And Samuel Stage ripoff stealing a child's pet turtle because they got attached to the turtle Elkton Florida
My Mom and I brought my pet turtle, Shelly, to these people last June, to look after her for me, because we were going to Africa. They agreed to look after her till we could find a shipper that would ship my baby to me in Africa. They told my mom that there was no charge, but asked if she might be able to make a donation.
We were able to bring my Great Dane dog with us, but finding a shipper that would ship a reptile was really hard.
We got to Africa, and my Dad abandoned Mom and I there, so we were just fighting to survive. We couldn't contact the lady at H.A.W.K.E. during the time, because we were fighting to just eat while we were there, and get back to the U.S. My dog died while we were there, so all I have left is my little Shelly.
We finally got back home to the US again, and when my mom called to let them know there will be no shipping, that we are back, the woman at the rescue place wouldn't give me my turtle back. She said that Shelly is now a part of their family, and that she didn't care what our "personal story" was.
These are people that get birds and turtles and then release them back to the wild, but they won't release my baby back to me, and I'm a kid.
Now Miss Melany has said that she has a lawyer that will go to court to fight a custody battle for my turtle..... I didn't know that adults could do that to a kid.
I'm really afraid that I will never see my Shelly again, and it breaks my heart to think that. I love her so much, and she is all I have left now, besides my Mom. I've lost my Dad, my dog, and almost lost my life. I was looking forward to getting my oldest, and favorite pet back when we got back home here, and now this lady has ruined that.
I have had Shelly since I was 6 years old; she's been my baby for 9 years, and she's really a big part of me. I trained her, and she is so affectionate. I can understand how anyone would fall in love with her, but she's not their pet. She's mine, and it's wrong to take a pet away from a kid. It's just wrong.
My mother has taught me to be an honest, compassionate person, and I am. These people are not either of those things.
They call themselves a "Volunteer organization which is offered as an act of Love for our Animal Friends." I don't think so at all. They sure aren't good to kids, that's for sure.
I JUST WANT MY SHELLY BACK!
Weylin
Palatka, Florida
U.S.A.
We were able to bring my Great Dane dog with us, but finding a shipper that would ship a reptile was really hard.
We got to Africa, and my Dad abandoned Mom and I there, so we were just fighting to survive. We couldn't contact the lady at H.A.W.K.E. during the time, because we were fighting to just eat while we were there, and get back to the U.S. My dog died while we were there, so all I have left is my little Shelly.
We finally got back home to the US again, and when my mom called to let them know there will be no shipping, that we are back, the woman at the rescue place wouldn't give me my turtle back. She said that Shelly is now a part of their family, and that she didn't care what our "personal story" was.
These are people that get birds and turtles and then release them back to the wild, but they won't release my baby back to me, and I'm a kid.
Now Miss Melany has said that she has a lawyer that will go to court to fight a custody battle for my turtle..... I didn't know that adults could do that to a kid.
I'm really afraid that I will never see my Shelly again, and it breaks my heart to think that. I love her so much, and she is all I have left now, besides my Mom. I've lost my Dad, my dog, and almost lost my life. I was looking forward to getting my oldest, and favorite pet back when we got back home here, and now this lady has ruined that.
I have had Shelly since I was 6 years old; she's been my baby for 9 years, and she's really a big part of me. I trained her, and she is so affectionate. I can understand how anyone would fall in love with her, but she's not their pet. She's mine, and it's wrong to take a pet away from a kid. It's just wrong.
My mother has taught me to be an honest, compassionate person, and I am. These people are not either of those things.
They call themselves a "Volunteer organization which is offered as an act of Love for our Animal Friends." I don't think so at all. They sure aren't good to kids, that's for sure.
I JUST WANT MY SHELLY BACK!
Weylin
Palatka, Florida
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Devilsadvocate4education*just My Opinions*
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
From one turtle lover to another
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, March 31, 2009
Sorry, but Shelly actually DOESN'T belong to you anymore. Their website looks like it might be an EXCELLENT place for Shelly where she can live out her remaining years (which are many). Did your Mom sign a release? She might have, and probably did. There definantly seems to be much missing here. And they also appear to have Shelly's best interest in mind. >These are people that get birds and turtles and then release them back to the wild, but they won't release my baby back to me, and I'm a kid. < They REHABILITATE animals which have been taken from the wild or injured and place them back where they belong. As Shelly STARTED as a pet', she(?) will most likely REMAIN a pet and NOT be released because she's(?) never been there. They do however most likely attempt to give Shelly the best of both worlds and a life where she(?) still depends on humans but is able to live in a much more natural and beneficial environment than she would in a general home'. My suggestion is to see if you can mend some fences and maybe volunteer (I started in exotic animal rescue when I was your age according to the numbers given). You can see how Shelly is doing and maybe learn a lot more than you ever dreamed about them and how to care for them. CLEARLY you did a decent job at some point if you got her as a baby as sadly many turtles (approx. 95+% or so of the babies sold) do not survive past their first year due to improper care. And yes, they can be MUCH smarter than people give them credit for. I'm sure they probably need help though your age could be a factor AND your history with them. If you go into it with an open mind and willing to learn you may find that this is the best thing that could have EVER happened for Shelly and be happy for her(?) and do some tremendous good and learn much about what they actually need in the process. I do understand your attachment as there is SO much more to them than people know and I am sorry for your heartbreak, but try and think of Shelly and what's best for someone you love so much first. They are probably able to give her sooooo much more that she NEEDS than if she was placed back with you, honestly. Find out more about them and see if maybe there's any way you can help. You might surprise yourself. *just my opinions*
Jolene
Ponte Vedra Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
What is the WHOLE story?
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, March 28, 2009
That is a very sad story .... going to Africa, your father leaving and your dog dying. What does any of that have to do with the turtle??? How long were you away? How long did HAWKE / Melanie Stage take care of the turtle? With such a depressing situation, I wonder if you are able to adequately provide and take care of a pet? I have had associations with Melanie and the HAWKE wildlife rescue for over 15 years. She has accepted and taken care of injured animals when all other wildlife rescue societies in the area have refused due to lack of funds. In every situation she puts the safety and security of the animal above labor or expense. She is not the type of person who would blatantly refuse to return an animal without reason. It sounds to me like your turtle would have died if not for HAWKE. How much did you donate towards the maintenance and support of the turtle? If you had left the animal with any other caretaker they probably would have been forced to sell or give the animal to another provider, or even terminate the turtle. After all, you did say that you were stuck in Africa, unable to even call or contact HAWKE to apprise them of your situation. So, what is the rest of the story? Why does Melanie really think it best for the turtle to remain at HAWKE ? I am also curious to know how your dog died. Taking care of a pet requires a certain amount of financial obligation. For someone who is barely making ends meet, having a pet might be comforting to you but not in the best interest of the animal.
Jolene
Ponte Vedra Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
What is the WHOLE story?
#4Consumer Comment
Sat, March 28, 2009
That is a very sad story .... going to Africa, your father leaving and your dog dying. What does any of that have to do with the turtle??? How long were you away? How long did HAWKE / Melanie Stage take care of the turtle? With such a depressing situation, I wonder if you are able to adequately provide and take care of a pet? I have had associations with Melanie and the HAWKE wildlife rescue for over 15 years. She has accepted and taken care of injured animals when all other wildlife rescue societies in the area have refused due to lack of funds. In every situation she puts the safety and security of the animal above labor or expense. She is not the type of person who would blatantly refuse to return an animal without reason. It sounds to me like your turtle would have died if not for HAWKE. How much did you donate towards the maintenance and support of the turtle? If you had left the animal with any other caretaker they probably would have been forced to sell or give the animal to another provider, or even terminate the turtle. After all, you did say that you were stuck in Africa, unable to even call or contact HAWKE to apprise them of your situation. So, what is the rest of the story? Why does Melanie really think it best for the turtle to remain at HAWKE ? I am also curious to know how your dog died. Taking care of a pet requires a certain amount of financial obligation. For someone who is barely making ends meet, having a pet might be comforting to you but not in the best interest of the animal.
Jolene
Ponte Vedra Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
What is the WHOLE story?
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, March 28, 2009
That is a very sad story .... going to Africa, your father leaving and your dog dying. What does any of that have to do with the turtle??? How long were you away? How long did HAWKE / Melanie Stage take care of the turtle? With such a depressing situation, I wonder if you are able to adequately provide and take care of a pet? I have had associations with Melanie and the HAWKE wildlife rescue for over 15 years. She has accepted and taken care of injured animals when all other wildlife rescue societies in the area have refused due to lack of funds. In every situation she puts the safety and security of the animal above labor or expense. She is not the type of person who would blatantly refuse to return an animal without reason. It sounds to me like your turtle would have died if not for HAWKE. How much did you donate towards the maintenance and support of the turtle? If you had left the animal with any other caretaker they probably would have been forced to sell or give the animal to another provider, or even terminate the turtle. After all, you did say that you were stuck in Africa, unable to even call or contact HAWKE to apprise them of your situation. So, what is the rest of the story? Why does Melanie really think it best for the turtle to remain at HAWKE ? I am also curious to know how your dog died. Taking care of a pet requires a certain amount of financial obligation. For someone who is barely making ends meet, having a pet might be comforting to you but not in the best interest of the animal.
