where can i find out in wisconsin if a woman has license to have a rescue service for exotic birds?

Question

woman in beliot wi is representing hher self as a licensed exotic bird rescue. will not sell she says but you can adopt at any price she comes up with. rescues are supposed to be non profit. you are not allowed or know where her santuary is. she will bring you a bird you are interested in to her house in the driveway. red lights went off in my head. i have been a exotic bird breeder for over 30yrs and i know this is fishy. please hepl me with some ideas that i can shut her down. thanks

Answer 1

OK let me see if I can help you with this question, I do run a rescue rehab and I do have a license. If you feel she is not who she says she is, call all of your local Vets, Animal Control, and humane socitity ask them if they have heard of her, to find out if she has a county licence check with your local court house.

I have had to do that to someone locally here where I live, to my surprize no one had ever heard of her or her rescue group. When she found out that I was doing my research on her she tried to turn the tables on us by making up lies about how we run our rescue.

Most rescue rehabs are non profit, but some do charge a small fee and the reason for that is you need to remember that being non profit, birds need to be feed and medical bills need to be paid.
We accept donations to our resuced birds such as people have donated fruits, veggies, nuts, toys, and other treats, which we welcome.

We have adopted out over 100 birds at no charge, there have a few that we had large vet bills on, and we have charged a small adoption fee to help cover some of the cost.

If she will not say where here birds are kept then I feel she has something to hide, I would not deal with her at all unless you can get references.

I have many vet offices that have called us for advice or to refer a client to us, and many of these vets I have never done business with, but because they know of our reputation from word of mouth from other vets, we have nothing to hide, people know where we are at, and we do visitations by appointment only if I have a bird to adopt out. I want the person to come to our center and met the bird, I want to see how the bird will react to meeting a new person, that way I can make sure if it will work out, it is to the best interest to my birds who I allow to adopt them. There is a lot involded in running a rescue rehab, and if you have a bad feeling about her, go with your feelings, and find some references on her.

Sapphyre
Certified Avian Specialist
http://www.borrowed-rainbow.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BorrowedRainbowAviary/

Answer 2

Actually, Fish and Game shouldn't have anything to do with licensing exotic birds. Try the USDA, they handle a lot of permits for livestock, rescues, and breeders.

Also realize that there may be some reasons as to your suspicions. Some rescues will not allow people to see where the animals are housed, for fear of a break-in. Also, almost all rescues will charge a fee, some which just depend on the case, for adopting a pet. As I'm sure you know, it costs a lot to maintain several birds, and these fees usually provide for those costs.

If after further research, you find actual evidence of neglect or abuse of these birds, you should report her to officials, but at this point, it seems you may be taking everything the wrong way.

Answer 3

So many "rescues" are buying/selling. That's what - licensed or not - they DO - come up with a price. NOT all rescues are non-profit. Some are definitely profit motivated if you dig deeper. It may be perfectly legit and it may be a scam. There's no way to really know for sure unless something goes wrong. I dont know WI regulations but there could be good reason for not having the place announced location wise.
"Rescue" is the new fashionable $$ maker for some. People think it's all for animals so jump on but many rescues are no more than dealers. Word of mouth does travel though

Fish and game, or wildlife, won't touch birds like parrots and such. If she offered a Canadian goose, or owl or something like that they'd be all over it. But it's not illegal to rescue, or buy/sell, or breed them. Unless she's broken a law there's nothing to do.

Answer 4

There is a listing for a bird rescue organization in Beloit. If this is not the name and phone # of the lady then you might want to stop by their sanctuary and talk to them and tell them your concerns. If you recognize the name or phone #, you may just want to stop by to see if it is legit.

I also am including the contact information of the State Veterinarian in case you need to proceed with this. I do recommend the local ASPCA first, if you have one there. They will investigate.

The Tiki Room, Exotic Bird Rescue & Sanctuary
Marsha Maass
Tel: [phone]
737 Cleveland St
Beloit

WISCONSIN
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
WI Dept. of Ag., Trade & Consumer Protection
Animal Health Division
P. O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911

P.S. Sounds Fishy to me too. Quite like she might be running an avian version of a puppy mill.

Answer 5

Basically no such licesnse is needed. All you have to do is study the books and your in business. The lady is rescuing birds, and helping. Why are you trying to shut someone down for doing good? And, if she wants, she can call sell the birds for whatever price she wants. Not every business in the country needs to be licensed ya know!...This is a free country still...Ya know, If I wanted to be a dog rescue agency - all I would have to do is open one up. I don't need a license. I wouldn't be providing medical care - just basic care, and that is probably what she is doing. You sound jealous of her. Your stupid!

Answer 6

Yeah, sounds like the authorities should take a look at her place and practices.
Fish and Game department is a good place to start the number is in the front of the yellow pages. So is Animal Control and the SPCA they investigate animal cruelty cases.
Stay involved this woman sounds like she is doing wrong.

Answer 7

Try the department of reguations, and they will tell you everything.In Madison there is a rescue service, these birds have mistreated and they sell there birds.Why should you shut her do, she is helping birds, thus finding good pet owners.
I wouldn'g worry about this.

Answer 8

That does sound odd, a lot of red flags...what about contacting Rock County animal control..or even the humane society...or the DNR..or you could even start with sheriffs Department non emergency #757-2244

Answer 9

Call the fish and game commission for starters. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

Answer 10

red lights wow that is supicious find a fish and game service and ask about liscneses but it helps to kno her first and last name.

good luck wow that long u should kno more about this stuff than i do