dilemma in largo

[LeaKP]

Ohhhhhhhhhhh this is heartbreaking. I am so happy you can do something. Hoping for a change of heart as well...

 

[henpecked]

If I ordered an extra 25 lb bag of pellets would you except them to feed gabby? I could drop it off or drop ship it to you, whatever is best. BTW, I'm still cleaning up after the storm, 2 ft of water in my down stairs, aviary, etc. What a mess, don't need any more rain or high tides.

 

[Mariar]

Omg that is so thoughtful!!! I never turn down a donation, but you really don't have to do that.

 

[Scott]

Floridians know the rain has been bad...I trek thru two feet of water twice a day to feed Howard and gabby...

Thank you. I'm told I'm crazy. I'm told why bother. At the end of the day..I feel good even if Howard knocked me down..in mud and poop..I still greet him with a smile. Even when gabby bite me..I still greet him with a smile.

Sometimes animals are trophies to people with money. Sad truth.

You really are amazing, Maria!! So much insight, and willing to help!

 

[Phoenixjay]

What you are doing for them is really sweet, and you are clearly full of compassion, which can be rare a lot of the time, and I really really hope the owner has a change of heart and sees that his animals have lives and feelings too. Best of luck. <3

 

[Mariar]

UPDATE:
If I don't feed Howard the pig..or give him water...he doesn't get it.
Today...I went to clean gabby the B&G cage..he had no food..I fed him on Sunday night..so that means he didn't eat on Monday. And I just cried for him..he's showing signs of neurological neglect...swaying back and forth..huffing and puffin like he can't breath right. Someone who lives and works on the property said on Saturday night some one threw a cigarette at him and said "shut the f **k up you stupid bird" asked me why I wasn't loading gabby up . I said while the owner was standing next to me.." I guess, name with held isn't ready but he knows I am". The owner just stood there like I was a bother. I'm trying to be nice so I can get him, but my hands are full.....just took five kittens, five weeks old from a home that was so dirty and gross, that owner was feeding them peanut butter...cost me over 250.00 to get vet care and one will most likely be blind..everyone is on meds and I'm up every few hours for care. I don't know what to do...found homes for the kittens but now I have to convince the owner of Howard and gabby to give them up. He's not budging...I'm going broke...does anyone know how go fund me works???

 

[GaleriaGila]

I don't, but I understand it isn't difficult. I wish I were rich, I'd fund you myself.
You're wonderful. Hang in there.
Big hugzszszzsz...

 

[Mariar]

Thanks...I have an eye infection and a cold I caught from the kittens...have to be careful I own five cats, a hedgehog, eight sugargliders, and my severe macaw.

 

[CDavis]

UPDATE:
If I don't feed Howard the pig..or give him water...he doesn't get it.
Today...I went to clean gabby the B&G cage..he had no food..I fed him on Sunday night..so that means he didn't eat on Monday. And I just cried for him..he's showing signs of neurological neglect...swaying back and forth..huffing and buffin like he can't breath right. Someone who lives and works on the property said on Saturday night some one threw a cigarette at him and said "shut the f **k up you stupid bird" asked me why I wasn't loading gabby up . I said while the owner was standing next to me.." I guess, name with held isn't ready but he knows I am". The owner just stood there like I was a bother. I'm trying to be nice so far can get him, but my hands are full.....just took five kittens, five weeks old from a home that was so dirty and gross, that owner was feeding them peanut butter...cost me over 250.00 to get vet care and one will most likely be blind..everyone is on mess and I'm up every few hours for care. I don't know what to do...found homes for the kittens but now I have to convince the owner of Howard and gabby to give them up. He's not budging...I'm going broke...does anyone know how go fund me works???

Isn't it illegal to neglect animals in Florida just threaten the owner with you alerting authority's and I'm sure that he will give the animals up. I'm very sorry that you are Doing all of this and the owner isn't appreciative of your efforts if I lived closer I would try and help you out but unfortunately i am a very long ways away.

 

[Mariar]

As long as an animal has food and shelter..neglect and abuse is hard to prove

 

[Violet_Diva]

Oh my gosh! You are a star. You are definitely not crazy. Being kind feeds the soul... and apparently a whole bunch of animals too!

If your heart is leading you to help more than financially viable, you need to get extra financial help, as I have a feeling you may be the kind of person who will go without in order to help needy animals. You must remember to look after yourself, because if you don't, who would look after all those animals?

I haven't ever used the 'go fund me' thing. I was considering it last year when we took in a feral starving cat with no skin on its front legs. It had bad wounds with daily dressings and medication etc and we were then looking into amputation or skin grafts when the vets advised that his lack of healing indicated he wouldn't heal from the op. At this point we had already spent more than £1000, but he was worth every penny, to see him not have to be last in the queue of cats foraging in bins. To know he could sleep safely and warm meant everything. I completely understand your devotion and determination to do right by these animals.

Please look into the 'go fund me' thing. Im sure others would love to help you help animals. Good luck, please keep updating as I would definitely like to hear about your progress!

 

[Puck]

I was about to suggest the gofundmevthing, too. This story makes me tear up and I think I'm probably not the only person on here who would love to donate to Gabby. The only problem with fundme type campaigns is that sometimes if you don't meet the goal you set then they give you none of the money, so be sure to read the fine print! I would love to help you and Gabby out, and I hope karma eventually kicks that owner in his man parts.

 

[CDavis]

As long as an animal has food and shelter..neglect and abuse is hard to prove

Take pictures of the neglect before you feed them and just tell the guy that your going to show the authority's if he doesn't relinquish the animals. I doubt he would risk the fine and just tell you to take em.

 

[Mariar]

Thank you all. I have taken some pictures of the ugly mess this poor bird lives in.i will read the fine print of organizations like gofundme.i have a headache from not sleeping since I got these kittens. Why can't people just be nice to animals and why can't we find a polition that supports animal rights....or given a tax break for rescuing animals.

 

[Puck]

As long as an animal has food and shelter..neglect and abuse is hard to prove

Take pictures of the neglect before you feed them and just tell the guy that your going to show the authority's if he doesn't relinquish the animals. I doubt he would risk the fine and just tell you to take em.

While it's what I really wish she could do, I would say that it's probably a big risk. Unfortunately that's a good way to piss off the owner, and there are some people in the world who would keep the bird simply for spite if they felt they were "threatened." I know because I've spent years dealing with my temper (or, in reality, working on anger management), and I am the type of personality who when someone does something that feels like a personal attack, I have a tendency to lose all of my common sense and act like a fool. I once got a $400 simple assault ticket for kicking the back of a pregnant woman's seat after she kept shushing me. It was probably the most embarrassing thing I have ever done, and I have spent years working to overcome my tendency to react in that way to things. It runs in my family, though, and I know that there are LOTS and LOTS of people out there who are the exact same way. The law will NOT be on your side unless the bird is literally on the edge of death or living in a box of feces (I have seen some horses kept in pens that make you want to puke, but since they're not collapsed on the ground unable to move, the law sides with the owner), and by making that kind of threat to the owner she might lose her ability to help the animals at all. From what I hear of this owner, I would bet that he would risk the small chance of legal action to keep his ego feeling big and strong.

 

[Mariar]

Yup...I do all I can to keep the owner happy and on my side. I'm worried if I turn him in something bad will happen so I hold my tongue. But with all my animals and the kittens I just took, financially it's getting rough. And yes I will give up all I love to save an animal. Wouldn't be the first or last time I have gone without.

 

[Puck]

Yup...I do all I can to keep the owner happy and on my side. I'm worried if I turn him in something bad will happen so I hold my tongue. But with all my animals and the kittens I just took, financially it's getting rough. And yes I will give up all I love to save an animal. Wouldn't be the first or last time I have gone without.

Well do look into a gofundme campaign! I am sure there are lots of people who would love to lend you a hand--it's amazing what you do!

 

[smbrds]

Bless you and this thread, and the good in that you do for these animals. It is good you are able to care for these animals despite the neglect and ignorance of the owner. There are plenty of them around and I've had my share of them.

The photo of Howard the Pig on the fence is precious. Pigs are underrated!! Throughout some states and even Florida, some laws have been made for harsh treatment of animals, but it just seems like more and more needs to be made and tougher treatment for those who in return mistreat the animals.

Your story deserves to be shown on the news...!

Edit: I know there is a local SPCA in Largo. Have you brought it to their attention and see what they have said?

 

[Mariar]

Quick update. Gabby the B&G is showing signs of illness, I guess that would be the right word,or maybe parasites. Not sure. And on October 1 I took five baby kittens out of a really bad situation. They all have conjunctivitis,upper respiratory infections, and one is blind . Cause unknown except the place was super dirty,feces and rotten food on the floors. I looked into gofundme. Seems ok,no donations yet but my sister shared it on her Facebook page..I don't have one. It's worth a shot. Vets bills alone are over $500 for the kitties. But feel like I'm doing the right thing.they would have parished without vet care. Thanks for listening...ill post pix later.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Is there another neighbor who would be willing to complain about the presence of the pig, or his treatment? Is the area zoned for keeping pigs? Animal welfare might be more likely to investigate pig neglect, since they might be more comfortable deciding if a pig is being mistreated than a bird. I mean, birds live outside all the time, right...and while they are looking at the pig they might save the bird. Neighbors complaining about pigs isn't abnormal, and that wouldn't tie the complaint to you. I'm afraid the owner isn't going to come around. He didn't care about the bird before you were caring for it...he knows the bird is valuable and it will be worth even more if you get it in better shape. Would he be willing to sell it? Gofundme would be a way to raise the money for it. Even having some anonymous person stop by, say they are buying birds, give you this much cash right now ...