My fish rescue business is in danger. Can you help?

[Kelly68]

No, nothing really exotic. Just fish that people don't want, common stuff and a bunch of angelfish. I did get a reply back from the Aquaculture - Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection and this is their response to me:

"I'm sorry, but our animal health division has no authority in a case
like yours."

and the other place I got an automated reply message and I did email anothe person right now.

[Lauri]

Hi Kelly,
I tried to reply to this an hour ago and it got lost. I'll try to summarize my thoughts again...
Have you contacted the manufacturer of the bad equipment?
Have you contacted the competitors of the bad equipment and see if they might help you?
Have you asked your homeowners insurance if there is any coverage?
Have you tried talking with your electric company to see if they would work with you?
Have you asked your local Rotary Club if they could help?
Have you asked any large companies in the area if they would help by sponsoring your cause since you are a rescue ...not for profit?
Have you tried to get the word out to the school...classes and organizations sometimes do fundraisers for special causes?

Have you tried to put up notices at the grocery store, library, other community areas...how about the local senior center!
Have you contacted your county newspapers and television crews to do a special for you?
Grants ... Local library reference desk?
Have you tried the local university/college to see if their biology department would have any suggestions?
Good luck.
Lauri

[Lauri]

Wildlife Animal Rescue: Endangered Species Conservation Fund
Wildlife Animal Rescue: Endangered Species Conservation Fund
Our wildlife animal rescue conservation organization offers aid to endangered and threatened wildlife and domestic animals around the world. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) campaigns for animal conservation and habitat preservation, and also offers Emergency Animal Relief (Disaster Response) services. Our wildlife animal rescue conservation organization provides funds for wildlife research, makes grants to national and local animal welfare organizations, and offers many more services to help animals in distress. Saving the whales, saving the seals from slaughter, saving the elephants, and pet rescue are major focus areas for our animal rescue league. Our wildlife and domestic animal welfare society has even helped in the area of animal assisted therapy. Protecting endangered species, providing humane treatment for domestic animals, preserving habitat for wildlife and more requires assistance from a generous donor base. You can help IFAW with its mission to create a world in which all life can flourish. Click here now, and find out more about how your dollars can help IFAW protect wildlife and domestic animals worldwide.

...IFAW's Emergency Relief Team helps national and local organizations to save animals when natural and man made disasters occur....

IFAW has given more than 400 grants totaling nearly $2 million to small protection groups and local shelters across the globe since 1994.

[Lauri]

Grants Information Collection - Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Funding and Fundraising
Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation: Funding and Fundraising
American Humane

See the section, Available Grants. Also has advice on The Business of Getting a Grant, the American Humane Association, which grants the Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant, and the Second Chance Fund in partnership with Bayer Animal Health, is the sponsor of this site.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA was "the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere." The Society aims "to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and [they] continue to battle cruelty today." The following pages are of particular interest to those seeking funding: Professional: Fundraising; Fundraising: Foundation Grants; ASPCA Equine Program; and ASPCA Mission: Orange.
AnimalConcerns.org

An impressive Animals site of the EnviroLink Network. Includes rescue and rehabilitation groups and services, as well as funding, advocacy, and educational resources. See especially Resources for Non-Profits.

AnimalFunding.org: See Fund for Animals below.

Best Friends
In its links under the category, No More Homeless Pets, this organization has downloadable booklets and articles in its Resource Library, particularly the items for organizations, on such topics as starting a nonprofit organization for help for animals, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and management, putting on a fundraising event, how to start one's own sanctuary and nonprofit spay/neuter programs.
Exceller Fund

A nonprofit Internet group which raises money to shelter Thoroughbred horses which would otherwise be sent for slaughter.

A major organization which sponsors and conducts numerous animal protection programs in regional offices throughout the U.S. See also the section,Non-profit Fundraising for Animal Protection Programs.

Fund for Animals and AnimalFunding.org

Fundsnet Services: Pet Welfare & Wildlife Grants

A well-documented listing of foundations which fund programs for animal welfare, wildlife preservation, and related causes.

Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant. See AmericanHumane.org above.

Maddie's Fund

Large grants are available particularly for no-kill animal welfare organizations and shelters, plus veterinary facilities for companion animals. Has information on shelter management for animal organizations.

PetCo Foundation

Offers assistance with local spay/neuter programs, humane education and training, and adoption of dogs and cats by local humane groups.

PetSmart Charities

The PetSmart Charities mission is to improve the quality of life for all companion animals by creating and supporting programs that save the lives of homeless pets and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. See Grants and Emergency Relief in particular.
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Humane Charity Seal of Approval

Provides a list of charities approved for provision of services or research without the use of animals. Also has in its Search Charities pages listings of Health Charities That Don't Fund Animal Experiments and Health Charities That Still Fund Animal Experiments.
ShelterSource

"A free news and resource hub helping people help animals since 2003," ShelterSource includes the goal of "increas[ing] funding opportunities for animal shelters and other rescue groups" as part of their mission. Site features information on Fundraising for Animals, as well as an alphabetical list of Grant and Program Resources.
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency

This site lists organizations which may provide help and services during disasters and emergencies.
United Animal Nations

North America’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals. See their Programs and especially their Lifeline Grants.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory

Information on "what to do with injured wildlife and who to contact." Links given to professional organizations and to rehabilitation sites.
World Animal Net Directory

Includes approximately 15,000 listings and links to over 8,000 Internet sites. Searchable by categories such as anti-vivisection, fur, farm animals, animals in entertainment, genetic engineering, and others, as well as by geographic area. Go to the site's Index for other resources and an especially good directory of Links to additional useful sites.

[Lauri]

Animal Rescue Links.org - Grants and Other Information
Grants and Other Information for Animal Rescues




The DJ&T Foundation
9201 Wilshire Boulevard,
Suite 204
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 The DJ&T Foundation Subsidizes Clinics and Voucher Programs All Over the USA
A Non-Profit Foundation Devoted to The Support of Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics and Voucher Programs Throughout the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Grant Application available at website.

Rio Vista Fund
Rio Vista Products
520 S. Farnel Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93458 http://www.riovistaproducts.com/fund/fund.html
Rio Vista Fund - a portion of the sale of every Rio Vista product you buy goes to support organizations that rescue and rehabilitate abused horses and dogs. Qualified organizations who need money to rescue or save a particular horse or dog should mail their request to the Rio Vista Fund.

Petsmart Charities
PETsMART, Inc.
19601 North 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Phone: (623) 580-6100 Page Not Found - PetSmart
If you are affiliated with an animal welfare organization and are interested in finding out how your organization can receive a grant or sponsorship from PETsMART Charities Go to the website for more information.

Maddie's Fund
Richard Avanzino, President
2223 Santa Clara Ave., Ste. B
Alameda, CA 94501 Maddie's Fund Grant Guidelines - Community
They are looking for community-wide projects that will guarantee healthy (adoptable) shelter dogs and cats in the target community a loving home within a period of five years. They support collaborations of no-kill animal welfare organizations working together with animal control shelters, traditional shelters, and private veterinarians.

Developing Winning Grant Proposals http://www.ohiou.edu/noncredit/grants.htm
Workshop participants learn the format of a complete grant proposal. They learn how to tailor proposal formats to meet the requirements of different funders and how to improve the match between grant seeker needs and funder priorities. They review criteria that funders use in evaluation grant proposals.

ITSY'S FUND, INC.
Formally known as Stray Cat Strut itsysfund.com
They are set up to give a monthly donation to a 501c3 registered not-for-profit animal rescue group or shelter for medical care for one animal -- cat, dog, farm animal, reptile, wildlife.

Albert Schweitzer Animal Welfare Fund
1200 Fairchild Dr.
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Fax: ( 336) 744-5289
Provides grants for a variety of innovative animal welfare programs, including humane education, enhancing humane shelter operation, wildlife protection or implementing solutions to animal overpopulation. Write or fax for an application packet.

NEW Maddie's Fund

Maddie's Fund Grant Guidelines
Grants are available particularly for no-kill animal welfare organizations and Shelters. Has information on shelter management for animal organizations.



ACES Foundation
PO Box 3275
Crestline, CA 92325
1 (800) 338-2237 Call for more information.
Funding for training initiatives at the state or regional level
(individuals and shelters are not eligible).


Ms. Donna Peas
Grants Administration
700 Professional Dr.
Gaithersburg, MD 20879 The William and Charlotte Parks Foundation
Grants that impact animal welfare, general operating funds, and capital grants. Grants not normally for spay/neuter, wildlife rehabilitation, or for organizations with annual income above one million. Call or write for application forms.


Grants and Related Resources Michigan State University Libraries - Nonprofit Fundraising Web Resources

[Kelly68]

OMG Lauri. This is wonderful. I don't even know where to start. I know Patti is busy this evening. But would anyone want to help volunteer and break down the lists to send out emails to these places? At midnight I am down to 11 days and counting.

Lauri, as for most of your first post with contacting the manufacturer, local businesses in the same field for assistance, radio, news, paper (my sister did a lot as did Pk and Links I believe). I have contacte the BBB, Consumer Protection, Department of Aquaculture. I have spoke with Public Service on many occasions. I do have an email out to the school, one teacher in particular that has been wonderful to me and my family...she is thinking about anything I may not have thought about. My sister did pass out some letters to some of the local businesses in town. I just cannot rememeber all that was contacted....but there was a lot.

But you have given me many more ideas. My sister has written a very nice letter...I believe I posted it in one of the replies. If someone would like to help me send these out, it would be very much appreciated. I have developed some pretty major head aches. I am sure from the stress I am dealing with and lots of crying. If not, I am sure I can plug away my self on these.

Again, Lauri, thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing the research you have done. Please pm me if you would like to talk further. This is wonderful information.

Kelly

[Lauri]

Michigan State University Libraries - Grants for Nonprofits : Animal Welfare

CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR NUMEROUS PROMISING GRANT SOURCES....

ALSO INCLUDES LISTINGS FOR THE 50 TOP "WILDLIFE" RESCUE GRANTS FOR 2000 - 2005!

[pk]

Wow! What great ideas Lauri!!! I was at a point that I was racking my brains as to what other places to contact. I do think that any 'grant' for this situation will come to late since there is usually alot of paper work to fill out and time to wait to get approved for a grant, no matter how small or large.

But some of the other ideas are places that may help ASAP. Many interesting and new ideas here to work with. Thanks so much Lauri for all the ideas you have shared here.

[Kelly68]

Well, after hitting the pavment and delivering over 50 letters with my brochure and business card attached to each one of them.....I am worn out. But still have another 50 to go. I got a call back from the Daily Herald guy. He is going to interview me on Tuesday of next week. But it is only to spot light a local business and still doesn't want to touch any of the trouble stuff or say that I need donations or I will lose it all. I would love to have had this done months ago, but now I sit and think what is the point if my fish will all be dead in 11 days. Don't get me wrong, I am not ungrateful by any means. I just hope that the story may make more people aware, but the only way they would be is if they showed interest in the story and went on my site.

Again, thank you Lauri for all the useful links. I will make a list this weekend.

[Kelly68]

Here is a copy of the letter I handed out. Hope it was ok...I worked a long time trying to get in the right words.


MY FISH RESCUE BUSINESS IS IN DANGER. CAN YOU HELP?

My name is Kelly and I am the owner and founder of Finned Friends LLC and KARS (Kelly’s Aquatic Rescue Services). Here at Finned Friends, we will rescue, provide a temporary housing environment and seek new homes for unwanted aquatics. We are also the largest breeding facility of freshwater angelfish in the State of Wisconsin. The breeding facility was established to help offset the cost of the rescue. An unwanted aquatic always meets his death before his time is due. I believe that fish are found to be readily disposable once their flair is gone. People don't think that this type of pet is worth saving once they do not want them anymore. I am a firm believer that ANY pet deserves a chance at a good life.

Finned Friends is a home based business. I was given a medical diagnosis that I suffer from a few diseases that I can no longer work outside of my home. I could have taken the news and sat back and collected a monthly check or I could teach my children (one in college, one going this fall and a freshman in high school) a lesson in life. No matter what life throws at you, you have to remain positive and fight for what you want. I felt at only 39 years old, that I was still young enough to earn an honest living. So last year, I added on a $25,000 expansion to my business with the help of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Part of my expansion costs involved new equipment for heating, cooling and an air exchanger for the business. This total cost alone was close to $9000. I thought I did my research when it came to finding a reputable and honest contractor. From day one, when they showed up close to 3 hours late, that should have been my first sign that this was the wrong decision. I gave them the benefit of the doubt and let them do their job. What a wrong choice this has been. Ever since they installed this new ENERGY EFFICIENT equipment my Gas and Electric bills have been enormous. I have been in contact with over 8 other Heating Contractors and none which are willing to take on the liability and problem this company has caused. They all knew of the company which installed my equipment and only words of condolences were given. I cannot afford the expense at this point to hire the attorney that has been so kind to me due to the fact we had heard this company may be filing bankruptcy in the near future.

The local heating and cooling contractor we hired completely scammed us, and knowingly installed equipment that cannot heat or cool our home in a way to keep our bills down and livestock healthy. Our furnace has broke down over 18 times this winter - the contractor avoids our calls, and has not yet fixed the equipment. This equipment has doubled - tripled our WPS bills. On April 15th, WPS will be shutting off the power to our home. When this happens, we will lose everything. I have over 12,000 fish so far that I have either raised or rescued from the surrounding communities. When the power goes out, so will the lives of these animals. The fish cannot survive without heat or air, both run on heat and electricity.

I would be devastated if I were to lose everything I put my heart and soul into. Especially due to the fact that I was taken complete advantage of by a contractor that was supposed to be honest. Finned Friends does not charge or ask for any monetary donations for driving to pick up any unwanted aquatics. There is a great expense of time, gas and supplies to house an unwanted aquatic. If I cannot find a home for these aquatics, my home becomes their forever home. I am no different than any other rescue. But because most people think that fish are expendable no one wants to help. I am on my knees asking for help. So, if anyone would like to donate or know someone who would donate some time, monetary donations or items for a possible fundraiser to help pay toward my outrageous bill this equipment is costing me AND help pay for another company that would come in and re-do the whole mess please contact me. My Website Finned Friends Aquatic Rescue & Angelfish Breeding has a Rescue link on top of every page. In the Rescue link you will see a DONATE tab that goes directly to a PayPal account for anyone that would like to donate that way. Or you can send a check payable to: FINNED FRIENDS 2004 Water Street, Merrill,WI 54452

Please, even it is $5 or $10 it will all help and add up. All money raised will go directly from there to help save Finned Friends. I am racing a ticking clock so I don’t have much time. As of today (April 4th) I have 11 days left. Thank you for helping my effort to save these aquatics. Remember, no fish goes unwanted. If I cannot find a home for them, my home will be their forever home. Thank you so much for your time.

Kelly Rector (715)212-6637

[Lauri]

Kelly Rector
Finned Friends LLC and KARS
2004 Water Street, Merrill, WI 54452
April 7, 2008

Dear Friend,
My name is Kelly Rector. Out of a deep sense of compassion, I began my home-based, dream business, Finned Friends LLC and KARS, aka Kelly’s Aquatic Rescue Services, to rescue and provide temporary foster fish care while seeking new homes for fish their owners no longer wanted. I am desperately searching for a viable way to save the lives of thousands of unwanted pet fish from facing certain death on April 15th. This is not a joke. It is my worst nightmare and it means certain death for these most vulnerable of creatures that depend upon me for life.
At age 39, my journey into this unique animal rescue began after I became disabled and could no longer work outside my home. Not wanting to just take a government handout, with the help of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, I spent $25,000 to facilitate the expansion needed to accommodate the fish rescue mission within my home. This included the creation of a freshwater angelfish breeding facility to help offset the cost of the rescue operation. The expansion last year included the installation of new energy efficient equipment for heating, cooling, and air exchange. Well, to make a very long, agonizing story short, I got scammed by the individual who installed the new equipment because my heating and electric bills not only tripled, but the furnace broke down eighteen times this past winter! The installer won’t answer his phone as he is now going through bankruptcy so my options of recouping my losses and saving the fish are virtually gone. No other heating contractors are willing to take on the liability of trying to repair the system. Having put my savings into the expansion, I have no money to fall back on. I am out of options. I have run out of time.
On April 15th, WPS will be shutting off electrical power. I have over 12,000 fish that I either rescued from surrounding communities or raised to keep the rescue solvent. When the power goes out, so will the lives of these wonderful creatures. The fish cannot survive without heat or air circulating in the tanks. Both run off electricity.
Like other rescues, Finned Friends is non-profit. There is no charge to rescue pet fish. They are not euthanized if a home can not be readily found. I am begging for help to save this rescue and especially to save the lives of the fish already in the aquariums. In the short term, I desperately need money immediately to pay outstanding electric bills so I can stop WPS from turning off the electricity. In the long term, I need help to resolve the failure of the equipment which caused this catastrophe to happen in the first place.
I would appreciate any suggestions you might have, or outright help you can give me. Please contact me by calling (715) 212-6637. If you can make any sized donation, please send it asap to: FINNED FRIENDS, 2004 Water Street, Merrill, WI 54452.
My Website http://www.finnedfriends.com]Finned Friends Aquatic Rescue & Angelfish Breeding has a Rescue link on top of every page. In the Rescue link you will see a DONATE tab that goes directly to a PayPal account if you want to donate by this method.

I thank you, and so do 12,000 little angels and friends.

Sincerely,

Kelly Rector

[Kelly68]

Lauri...the way you have with words is wonderful. Thank you so much.

I am going to go down to our local paper, Merrill Foto News, tomorrow and see if they will allow me to run the story Lauri rewrote. Not sure how much it will cost me or if they even will. Here is a link to their site:

Denied:1up! Software


I also had a fish meeting today that I had to attend. I am also the treasurer, secretary, in charge of donations and advertising for the CWAS club (Central Wisconsin Aquarium Society) and we had a board meeting today. No matter what I am going through here, I still have responsibilities to others too. Anyhow, one of the members bought some of my fish and is listing them on Aquabid. Check them out....he will add more tomorrow.


AquaBid.com - Your Aquatic Auction Website

AquaBid.com - Your Aquatic Auction Website

Tomorrow will only leave me 9 days.

[pk]

Lauri...the way you have with words is wonderful. Thank you so much.

Yes, you do have a gift with words Laurie.

Oh..Kelly, you need to also check the gallery for Laurie's pictures. Many nice bird and garden pics!

pk

[lilly]

Kelly, I think what you have done for these fish is amazing. I give you kodos for all the time and hard work you have "donated" to help these animals. I'm deeply saddened by the fact that someone whould hurt someone the way the heating guys did.
I give you the best of luck.

[Kelly68]

Thanks Pk... I will do that. You know I love pictures especially of gardens and flowers. lilly, thanks for your kind words. The luck I will need.

I gave the letter Lauri rewrote to the local paper, the Merrill Foto News. They guy did an interview right away and said he will make sure a story gets in the Wednesday paper. Don't exactly know what he is going to write, but hope my story gets heard. That is all I can ask for. He said the same thing others on here have mentioned, about if it was 12000 cats or dogs people would be jumping at this. He was very nice. I have my fingers crossed. Thank again everyone.

[pk]

He said the same thing others on here have mentioned, about if it was 12000 cats or dogs people would be jumping at this. He was very nice. I have my fingers crossed. Thank again everyone.

That is so sad how so many do feel that fish are just that...fish. It's hard to understand how little respect these beautiful creatures receive. Anyone that has visited the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago would have to come out of there with a much better understanding of how beautiful a tank of fish can be. And how awesome they are to just sit and watch the many different kinds and colors of fish there are to see.

It has been noted many times that fish are actually very good for your health. If you are stressed out or suffer from high blood pressure, watching a tank of fish can actually help lower your pressure and/or calm you from a stressful situation. That is why at times you will see a large fish tank in a Dr.'s office.

Maybe Kelly if you could explain exactly how many fish..12,000 fish are by telling a little more of how many tanks, what sizes, how much work it is to keep them all clean, some details about your business so others can understand that this is not just a couple of tanks with small fish.

I really do wish you all the luck in keeping your business/rescue.

Patti

[Kelly68]

I got a call back yesterday from the Department of Aquaculture. He really didn't have any other ideas for me except that he would contact a lady he knew from the UW Extension in Stevens Point who helps with aquaculture stuff. Well, this morning I got a call from her. Her name is Sara and she was a wonderful person to talk to. She said by reading all the posts and ideas on here, that is the majority of the ideas she had. So thank you guys for keeping me informed. She did say she forwarded on my email to others in case she missed something or someone had other ideas.

I have the other newspaper interview here at 2:30. And I am very nervous. I want to make sure I say the right things and not babble. I get tongue tied easy when I am nervous. I am scared. Someone once told me that it is easy to talk and share a story when you are speaking the truth. I am relying on the words will come in the right way when the time is here. I really need this right now. I look around and see all these eyes staring back at me. They need me to fight. Imagine, between two rooms 24000 eyes looking at you. Anyhow, I will update later with any news and how it went. Thanks everyone.

p.s. Sara said she read all the comments my friends on here wrote. I told her you guys are my computer friends and have done so much for me and you never even met me. What an overwhelming feeling. So thank you.

[Kelly68]

My job is more demanding than any job I have ever had. I have almost 100 tanks now equaling close to 4000 gallons of water. Ranging in size from 5 gallons up to 55 gallons. My growout room and rescue center has 48 55 gallon tanks alone. At given times I house over 500 fish per tank...small babies that is. I have fish having babies all the time. Rescue fish having babies too. Not only do I have the fish I rescued, I have a ton of their fry too. So it is never ending. When I get overwhelmed at times doing fish maintenence I sit back and look around and think to myself, What the heck did you do. That thought goes as quick at it comes.

In time I am sure if I can keep this flowing, I can learn different tricks to help me with my upkeep. But right now this is from the time I get up to the time I am going to bed, around 11pm, that I am at it doing something. This is 7 days a week. Seems like you can never make it around the room doing water changes and you have to go again. This is not a hobby. THIS IS A FULL TIME JOB. I work so hard people's mouths drop open when the actually can come in and take a tour on what this really looks like. Of course, I do have pictures of my rooms, and fish. I am very proud of the set ups my husband built for me. But don't let this fool you, people complain a lot on how hard it is to maintain the upkeep of one tank. Imagine 100. But I do it out of love and passion of the species. Fish so much have attitudes. Whether, it is a 18 cent gold fish to a $100 dollar salt water fish, they all rank the same as far as their care go. And if that 18 Cent gold fish never finds a home and I put lots of dollars in feeding it and caring for it, then so be it. That is what I do. That is what a rescue should do.

Part of my business plan research was to find the statistics Patti was talking about with the whole fish are good for your health. I will add a few things I found out:

American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) found that people who own fish have lower blood pressure, suffer from stress less frequently, sleep better, have more success in romantic relationships, and missed fewer days of work than those who don't own any finned friends.

Studies also show that students who are fish owners score the highest on math and verbal SAT's, with a combined score of 200 points higher than non-pet owners. (could this be why my kids rank in the top 10% of their class and are honor roll students?) High schools who keep fish or other pets have an average GPA of 3.5 versus non-pet owners at 3.2

More and more fish tanks are finding their way into waiting rooms, nursing homes, schools and libraries. Many studies have shown that owning fish have many other benefits to humans than any other pet.

So for people who think that fish are nothing and not worth saving. Research has found that to be far from the truth.

[pk]

My job is more demanding than any job I have ever had. I have almost 100 tanks now equaling close to 4000 gallons of water. Ranging in size from 5 gallons up to 55 gallons. My growout room and rescue center has 48 55 gallon tanks alone. At given times I house over 500 fish per tank...small babies that is. I have fish having babies all the time. Rescue fish having babies too. Not only do I have the fish I rescued, I have a ton of their fry too. So it is never ending. When I get overwhelmed at times doing fish maintenence I sit back and look around and think to myself, What the heck did you do. That thought goes as quick at it comes.

In time I am sure if I can keep this flowing, I can learn different tricks to help me with my upkeep. But right now this is from the time I get up to the time I am going to bed, around 11pm, that I am at it doing something. This is 7 days a week. Seems like you can never make it around the room doing water changes and you have to go again. This is not a hobby. THIS IS A FULL TIME JOB. I work so hard people's mouths drop open when the actually can come in and take a tour on what this really looks like. Of course, I do have pictures of my rooms, and fish. I am very proud of the set ups my husband built for me. But don't let this fool you, people complain a lot on how hard it is to maintain the upkeep of one tank. Imagine 100. But I do it out of love and passion of the species. Fish so much have attitudes. Whether, it is a 18 cent gold fish to a $100 dollar salt water fish, they all rank the same as far as their care go. And if that 18 Cent gold fish never finds a home and I put lots of dollars in feeding it and caring for it, then so be it. That is what I do. That is what a rescue should do.

Kelly you are truly an amazing person that you feel such compassion for these animals and have done so much. I want everyone to do a Google for fish rescue in Wisconsin and you can see that Kelly is the one with the dedication.

When I think of the one 45 gallon tank we had for years and the cost not to mention the time just to do the cleaning etc. I can't even imagine what you must go through in a given day. This is just not a hobby that you can put away when you get bored or want to take a vacation, you have made these fish part of who you are and give them your all.

How can so many, many views on the bubbler here (last count over 700), all the many different emails to various places, all the letters you have put out to area business places, the hours you have spent calling, talking, and going to meetings, and now interviews have so far resulted in not finding any help in a way that will save these fish?

Just think if only 1/2 the hits on this post alone sent just $5.00 how close you would be to at least get the electric company off your back and keep your electric on and buy you at least another month to continue your search to find someone that would come in and find a way to help fix the problem. Maybe by getting that extra month you could get a few grants sent in, or a business owner would come forward and offer to help sponsor a fundraiser for you.

You need more time! I certainly hope donations will start to come in to help save the fish before it is to late.

I just feel badly that if this was a race to save 12,000 dogs people would rush to put their dollar in the box if they saw a poster at the supermarket for this. What is sad is that supermarkets will let you put signs up for a dog in need...why not fish?

Could you post a few pictures of your fish here? Or put some in your gallery and add a link here? That would be interesting to see some.

Take care,

Patti

[Kelly68]

Hi Patti. I have so many pictures and it is taking me forever to post them. So I added a few. Some of my lower fish room, upper fish room, a few of my rescues and one of what my baby angels look like just as they get their fins. I have so many and if there is a faster way then one by one, please help me figure it out. I put them in my gallery...took me a bit to find that too. I will try and post a link here:

Kelly68 Gallery - theBubbler Photo and Image Gallery

Hopefully this works..if not can someone else do it for me?

As for the interview. I think it went well. He sure was interested to hear my story. Not to mention the most embarrassing thing happened. My cats have been on the "lookout" for something they hear. I figured it couldn't be a mouse as I haven't seen any all year. Well.........as me and the reporter was sitting on the couch talking I could hear a big ruckus going on in the kitchen. Here my siamese cat Josi (she is cross-eyed) got the mouse. ICK!! So as I had to break free from the interview for a second to get the mouse outside. Now how embarrassing is that? The story will come out in Friday's addition of the Wausau Daily Herald and they do have a site online so maybe you can see too.

He did say he would do what he can to put some recognition toward the problem but couldn't guarantee anything.

My story will be in tomorrow's paper in the Foto News. I think you can see that one online.

Thanks Patti yet again. It is very discouraging that after all everyone has done that many don't think this is a good cause to help. I know my story has had a lot of hits just not on this site, but others as well. Not to mention as you said about the phone calls, emails and all the flyers I personally delivered. I can't do much more. I have only received in the PayPal link for Finned Friends two donations. I am very grateful for anything that comes in. I know this is hard time for a lot of people. All I can think about though is all my fish's fate is in the hands of God and the public. 7 days and counting.

I did get a call today from the Consumer Protection. Finally hit the right office. I have to type him up a letter and he will send a letter to both this contractor and the manufacturer. He said that is all he can do. Any bit helps.

Anyway, I have to go nurse yet another head ache. I have been getting them daily here the past 5 days. They are getting worse though. Almost can't keep my eyes open pain. I don't need this.... I need to be focused and alert and keep plugging away. Thanks everyone.

[Lauri]

Kelly, I have one 45 gallon fish tank with ten goldfish we rescued out of our shallow pond outside last fall. (They would have died overwinter outside) They are sweet critters. One multi-colored fantail has had the "tip over syndrome" for about a month and I think it will eventually die. I don't have the heart to hurry up the process because when it swims it almost swims normally. Yet, I feel like maybe I should put it out of its misery. I don't know. What I do know is that these fish are important to us. We raised them. They respond to our presence. And I know how much work just this one tank takes to keep clean. I do a double water change every day. I know you are not exaggerating about the time you put into keeping your 100 tanks clean ....and pure enough that the fish actually reproduce! You should be nominated for sainthood!!!! Lauri

[pk]

Kelly68 Gallery - theBubbler Photo and Image Gallery

Kelly, I just checked out the pictures you posted in the gallery. I am totally amazed at the tanks! I really hope everyone checks out the pictures. It is awesome all the time and money and certainly the dedication you have put into creating not only a business but a rescue for Wisconsin.

Please post a couple here for everyone to see. A picture is worth a thousand words they say. Maybe by looking at the pictures and then thinking how unfair it is that their air supply will be cut off in less than a week....well, I don't even know what to say at this point. It is just sad.

What else is even more important is the fact that you have a family that lives in this home. It is so sad to think that because of one contractor you are not only going to lose your business, 12,000 fish could lose their air supply, but your family will lose their heat and their electric. I heard it is still so cold up there where you live that snow is still on the ground. This is all so unfair that things like this happens to such good people.

I will keep hoping something comes through for you.

Keep the faith.

Patti

[Kelly68]

Thanks Lauri and Patti.

Lauri, as long as your fish is eating, I would say he will be ok. Some get a swim bladder disease. Kind of common in gold fish. I had a lady who had one that always swam facing up. And he lived like that quite a long time.

Patti, I will add some pictures here. First ones will be of my upper fish room, second ones will be of my lower fish room and the third ones are just some of my angelfish and a few of my rescues. Yes, it is a outstanding amount of work to do this. But my love and passion is what has me doing this.

BTW, my story hit the paper today locally. Once it gets uploaded to their site I will post a link. He did a very nice job. Second interview ill print Friday.

Anyhow, here are some of my pictures:


upper fish room:







lower fish room:

[Kelly68]

A fraction of my fish, both rescue and angels:

[Kelly68]

Here is the link to view the story in the local paper than printed today:

http://www.merrillfotonews.com/SiteI...ayAds/5232.pdf