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

Kelly68 · 03-28-2008, 02:25 PM

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

Last year, I finally started my dream job. I opened an aquatic rescue and angelfish breeding business. I thought I had done my homework, and hired all of the appropriate contractors. Unfortunately I was wrong. The person who installed my heating and cooling system, which heats my tanks and runs all of the air to my aquariums, completely scammed me. Because of this, my utility bills have tripled, and I am in danger of losing everything. If the utility company shuts me off, I will lose all 12,000 of my fish. This is only a small portion of my story. For the complete story and information about my business, please visit Finned Friends Aquatic Rescue & Angelfish Breeding. There you will find the information regarding this story. Can you please help me salvage my dreams?

Thank you,
Kelly Rector, Owner, Finned Friends LLC.

pk · 03-29-2008, 01:00 AM

Kelly, your website and everything you offer is wonderful. Just by visiting your site one can see how you put so much thought and caring into your business. It would be a total shame after all the work you put into creating your business that it could be all lost due to the negligence of a contractor. Just the thought of 12,000 fish becoming not just homeless but in a situation that could result in death is totally mind boggling.

I truly hope someone with the means to help you will come forward. It would be not only wonderful if $$ donations came in but if someone actually came forward to help you with a solution to the mess this last company left you with would be a real gift not only to you but to the lives of the fish that's at stake here.

Please keep us informed as to how you are doing.

pk

CarolsCritterCare · 03-29-2008, 10:00 AM

I'm sorry to hear this Kelly. I hope this problem is fixed so you can continue doing the wonderful work you do.

Wish I had some suggestions.

pk · 03-29-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

I'm sorry to hear this Kelly. I hope this problem is fixed so you can continue doing the wonderful work you do.

Wish I had some suggestions.

This is a sad situation for Kelly. I went back and read her story on her website again Finned Friends Aquatic Rescue & Angelfish Breeding and wish I could think of a suggestion other than the ones that she is doing now too.

Certainly hope someone can find an answer for her and all her beautiful fish and very soon as the time is running out on this.

pk

CarolsCritterCare · 03-29-2008, 02:49 PM

Have you contacted the BBB about this contractor? Might be a good idea.

Will your church let you do a pancake breakfast to help raise money or something like that? (pancake breakfast, spaghetti dinner etc)

Rummage Sale to benefit the rescue

Is there a news reporter in your area that likes to run animal stories?

Just some ideas.....

Kelly68 · 03-29-2008, 03:19 PM

Thanks for all the ideas guys. Yes the BBB has already been contacted. I have talked to several agencies in the southern part of the state including leaving messages at the Govenor's office. I just cannot believe there is no help out there and believe me I have been trying so much. I put my heart and soul into the business and I am at a loss these days. My sister has asked my other sister and brother in law about possibly doing some sort of fundraiser down at their business (they own a bar/restaurant). I am still awaiting back for a phone call.

As for the news media. I have not contacted anyone. This is so hard for me to ask for help as I am a giver, not a receiver. I am supposed to be the one helping people and or animals, not the other way around. I am trying to keep my head up and stay focused and still get on with my day as my 12000 fish here still need me. And pray that there is hope for me.

So thanks Carol and Pk for all the kind words.

Also, my local CWAS club (Central Wisconsin Aquarium Society) posted some very nice words on their Web Site too. Central Wisconsin Aquarium Society Homepage Not only do I have my hands full with my rescue and angelfish business, I also am the Secretary, Treasurer, in charge of advertising and donations for the club too. Fish are my life.

cadesmom2002 · 03-29-2008, 06:33 PM

Kelly,

This situation is heartbreaking. Your website is wonderful and your fish are just beautiful. I can't believe that anyone would take such advantage of you. Its hard to trust anyone these days.

Hopefully someone will see this who can help you. Your good deeds shouldn't go unrecognized.

Take care.

rudedog · 03-29-2008, 08:37 PM

yep, Its a bad situation alright. I wish it wasn't so far away perhaps i could figure something out. making a road trip right now is out of the question though, im still trying to recover from a tornado, and a failed business.
the story was kinda vague on details though, or i might be able to make a suggestion or two.
I do however have a few suggestions, first if the liability issue is holding guys up from assisting. offer a good sumaritian clause. since its already messed up, this just says they are trying to help and cant be held liable for things that go wrong during the assistance.
the other is ask a local church for possible assistance, many have a mens ministry where guys will go out and help people in the community. since its just trouble shooting your looking for, they might know someone who could donate a few hours of time.
as far as the bills go, i dont know, perhaps sba?

oh yeah, and if it does go belly up, just dont let the dream die.
next attempt should be called finned friends 2.0. LOL

Kelly68 · 03-29-2008, 10:51 PM

Thanks rudedog. I did contact a few of my churches only to be told they are not equiped to deal with anything of this nature. I did make a phone call Friday and talked to a gentleman with SBA and they said they don't offer any sort of assistance for something of this nature. I am glad for the ideas people are giving me, in case I missed it. And thanks for caring. I am still trying to keep faith. My fish count on me.

CarolsCritterCare · 03-30-2008, 09:50 AM

Kelly I contacted a lady I pet sit for ~ she's big into fish as well. I love going to her house and watching all her fish.

Anyhow her name is Sarah and I'm hoping she might have some ideas for you.

The church would not even let you hold a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner?? What about a local VFW Post?

What about running an auction on Ebay specifically for the fish?? We have done that in the past with potbellied pigs and found it to be rather successful. People from all around were willing to donate something to be auctioned off. I could find something to put up for the auction. In the search words for Ebay use FISH AUCTION or something like that....or HELP THE FISH......

Carol

Kelly68 · 03-30-2008, 01:45 PM

Carol, this is the letter I got from the church:

Kelly,
I am so sorry to hear about all this. I can't imagine what you must be going through. I really wish I could do something to help, but the church is just not equipped to deal with this kind of problem.

Have you tried contacting anyone in state government, to see if there is anything they could do, like maybe Roger Breske's office? It's just a thought, and might be worth a try. I'm sorry I can't be more help. Good luck ... I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers,

As for the Ebay thing, I don't know the first thing about doing something like that on there. I mean, I wouldn't be against doing it, but I would need help as I don't know how to. I look at things on Ebay from time to time, but actually posting anything on there or holding an auction, I never have done that. So if anyone would like to help me with it that would be wonderful. I know this has been so tough, the ones on here that seem to be helping me the most live so far away from me. All I can say is from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

It is just sad though, a few other sites just haven't been as nice as what you guys here on the Bubbler have been. Only one other site has said some kind words, but others don't even reply or sending me not so kind messages questioning my motives. My sister even took it upon herself to send out a letter on my behalf. Here is what she wrote:

My sister created and runs an aquatic rescue business out of her home. She has many health and medical problems and can no longer work outside of it because of her illness.

Her and her husband worked with DVR to turn this aquatic rescue into a rescue and an angelfish breeding business, so she can start to bring income to her family - they have three children, one in college, one going next year! Her husband works in a factory, and has been layed off for many days over the last number of months.

Her heating and cooling contractor completely scammed her, and knowingly installed equipment that cannot heat or cool her home in a way to keep her bills down and livestock healthy. Her furnace broke down 18 times this winter - the contractor avoids her calls, and has not yet fixed the equipment. This equipment has tripled her WPS bills. On April 15th, WPS will be shutting off the power to her home. When this happens, she will lose everything. She has over 12,000 fish so far that she has either raised or rescued. 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'm hoping by making her story public, someone will step forward who can help her with her bill, and also help her fix the equipment she is using to ensure she doesn't get in this predicament again. Her full story is located on her website. MY FISH RESCUE BUSINESS IS IN DANGER. CAN YOU HELP?

Time is running out quickly. Can you help my sister and her family?

Thank you for reading this.

Shannon Larson

Again, if anyone can help me do an online auction, let me know. I want everyone to know that I am a giver, not a receiver. This is killing me to ask for help. So please don't think I am out to scam anyone. I would open my door to anyone or anything. I would give my last dollar in my pocket to someone who needed it more. (and I have done that). This is so very very hard for me. It would kill me to lose my business over someone who took advantage of me, but it would kill me even more for people to think less of me or think I am just a scam artist. Thanks everyone.

Kelly

pk · 03-31-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

but the church is just not equipped to deal with this kind of problem.

I'm sorry to hear that a Church could not, or would not lend a kind hand to a person in need. Someone that clearly unselfishly trying to save the lives of 12,000 fish, and repair the damage that was brought upon her by an unscrupulous company. A simple potluck dinner or a pancake breakfast put on by the women's group would have been an easy thing. Most Churches do benefits so I'm surprised that this one is not equipped. Maybe it is a very small Church in a small building? But a prayer line mentioning the need and a special prayer donation plate during the end of the service?

Oh well...maybe another Church in your area will be able to be more charitable towards this situation.

In the mean time. If you need help with Ebay I'm sure I can help with instructions with this. But I think something quicker is in need here. Maybe your sister/brother-in-law will be able to do something at their business for you.

Well as you know...my shoulders are good to cry on in the chat room.

It's frustrating that we are not closer or we would be there to help with a benefit. I've helped with huge fundraisers so many times in the past.

Please keep everyone updated as to your situation. I know you feel as if you are begging but the thing is Kelly, you did not ask for this problem to drop down on you and sometimes we all need to reach out and ask for help. It shows your strength and caring towards your fish that you can stand up and let others know of your need.

Keep the faith.

ONEZ48 · 03-31-2008, 01:37 PM

Kelly;

I too am sad to hear about your misfortune. My friend (I am not sure he can help you) is a fish buff and I have given him your website information. I only hope things turn out for the better.

pk · 03-31-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

I too am sad to hear about your misfortune. My friend (I am not sure he can help you) is a fish buff and I have given him your website information.

I'm a firm believer in getting the word out and I also have sent emails to various news sources in the Wausau area trying to bring awareness to this issue. Also to animal rights groups, cruelty to animals, animal societies, various websites etc.

I think if we all keep sending out to places or people we know and they in turn think where they may be able to send it then sooner or later help will be found. An answer is out there somewhere for you Kelly.

I hear the clock ticking ...time is running close.

ONEZ48 · 03-31-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk

I'm a firm believer in getting the word out and I also have sent emails to various news sources in the Wausau area trying to bring awareness to this issue. Also to animal rights groups, cruelty to animals, animal societies, various websites etc.

I think if we all keep sending out to places or people we know and they in turn think where they may be able to send it then sooner or later help will be found. An answer is out there somewhere for you Kelly.

I hear the clock ticking ...time is running close.

Your are right PK. That is what I call networking. All resources at our fingertips.

pk · 03-31-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

That is what I call networking. All resources at our fingertips.

It is sad though with all the resources at our fingertips and all the networking I put out there...I still have come up empty handed as far as coming up with any help for Kelly.

I've tried all resources I could think of so far with sending emails and not one place as responded back.

It's hard to understand how there is nothing in place to help a person that has a business in place that helps others.

Or that there is no real recourse when another business takes advantage of a person.

pk · 04-01-2008, 12:01 AM

I had a few people ask me what is a 'fish' rescue?

I thought these two links may be of interest to those that would like to read more about it.

About Finned Friends - Rescue

Rescued Fish

Scarberry2003 · 04-01-2008, 08:22 AM

A note on the ebay auction idea...... there is a fish aution site aquabid.com that you can list the fish on.

Kelly68 · 04-01-2008, 01:44 PM

Thanks everyone for all the replies, pm's, emails, kind words. I have pretty much hid out the last day or so crying and feeling sorry for myself. I learned yesterday that the possible fundraiser I could have (that my younger sister was working on) fell through. Apparently other members of my family didn't think my home, my business, my rescue, my family are important enough to help. So I took it very hard. We were trying to get it arranged through an establishment my sister and brother in law own, to hold a raffle ticket fundraiser. But they didn't see this as fitting their need to hold one.

This was the only positive thing I was basing my sanity on. Now with 14 days and the clock ticking I am back to square one. I have a fish friend of mine who is working very hard to finish his fish room and take some of my fish and hold auctions on Aquabid for me. Time is of the essense here and just don't know if it can be done in time. He has ordered all the packaging materials to ship them for me. Thank you Brian and his son Mark. They are all part of the CWAS club. Central Wisconsin Aquarium Society. Central Wisconsin Aquarium Society They also put my story on the front page of the web site to help bring awareness. Very supportive guys.

The club is also holding their annual spring fish auction on April 20th. I do sell fish at the auction too. Last few turnouts have been pretty sad, so I really don't know how much that will bring in. I have my wholesale guy coming in the next day or two and moving some of my fish to lesson my load. This is all great stuff, but not nearly enough of what I need in 14 days. I am grateful for all that has given me ideas, prayers, thoughts, well wishes. I cannot say it enough that my "family" here on the bubbler are more supportive than my own real family....besides my younger sister. You can't even imagine how much that hurts.

My rescue is no different than any other rescue. People respond better to cats, dogs, horses etc and really don't think fish are much of anything. Fish are animals too - and just because they aren't the proverbial "cute and fluffy" they are living beings who deserve a shot at life just like any other animal. So I am trying very hard to stay focused and not get stuck in a self pitty mode.

On the up side to everything, and not sure where this will go or how much it will help....I did get a call today from a local newspaper reporter from the Wausau Daily Herald. My phone went right to voicemail so I never did get the call, but have called back and left him a message. I am just praying this is the break my fish need. I also have someone in the inside tract finding out for sure if this guy is filing bankruptcy. If I find out it is a hoax, then raising more money to help pay for an attorney retainer will be a must too....I will take this guy for everything he has done to me and my family.

Carol, I read the letter your friend sent. She sounds like a wonderful person. Tell her that I did have the name posted on my site at first, then I was contacted by a few other places that I wanted to post my story on and they felt uncomfortable adding my story if that name was on there. So to be fair I took it out. Per the attorney's advice, she told me if it was her, she would post his name every where she could. He deserves what is coming to him. That was her words but putting it nicely. She had nothing good to say about him as she already had cases won against him. I am in a way a vindictive person.....but the time has to be right and right now I am trying to save my fish's lives first. What comes around goes around. I am firm believe that if you do kind deeds somewhere down the line you will get repaid.

That is why my business has to succeed. So many people over the past few years have really helped me to make my dream a reality. The schools are paying for my two kids to go on the upcoming band trip to Washington DC to perform in the parade or they would have missed out on an opportunity of a lifetime because of what he has done to me and and my family. Thanks to a caring teacher at the school, she made the connections through a local Lion's Club to get my son a pair of glasses he desperately needed. They have done this for me and my family because they know we are struggling here due to the problems this guy has caused. My business has to succeed, so in time I can pay it forward and help others who have helped me. This has never been about me. NEVER. To know me is to know that I would help others before myself. This has to work out...it just has to.

Kelly68 · 04-01-2008, 01:49 PM

By the way, the reporters name handling the story in case anyone is interested is Keith Uhlig. His email addresse is kuhlig@wdhprint.com

Wish me the best of luck when he contacts me back.

cadesmom2002 · 04-01-2008, 02:07 PM

Best of luck Kelly!!!

rudedog · 04-01-2008, 10:59 PM

I was wondering if you have contacted any of the aquaculture groups in the state. im not sure what they would have available, but they have a interest in keeping as many places open as possible to keep the idustry growing in the state. they may not be interested in a rescue, but a breeder is a different story.

Wisconsin Aquaculture Association, Inc. - Welcome!
Aquaculture - Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection

I think somewhere they have grants, i know time is ticking. might be a option.

Kelly68 · 04-02-2008, 12:01 AM

Thanks rudedog...a few more options for me to try in the morning. Can't hurt anything by giving a phone call. You would think one of these places would have some good news. I know that there has to be something out there to help me.....but where is it?? The reporter from the Herald is calling me back on Friday to set up an interview for either Monday or Tuesday next week. He said that he writes a weekly column interviewing different businesses and thought a fish rescue may be something no one knows about. Even though he read about my problems in my Web Site, he will briefly mention it in his article, but really wants to stay away from that and just talk about the rescue. Not sure where this will go. In two weeks I may not have the business period. So I was hoping if I did get contacted by someone they would really let me tell my story. But I want to remain positive that maybe this will help. Keep fingers crossed.

Again, thanks everyone. Your support means the world to me. After all Patti had to go buy extra shoulder pads just for me. Thanks Patti!

Kelly68 · 04-03-2008, 12:15 AM

I just wanted to update those who may be wondering that I did contact both places rudedog suggested. I am awaiting answers one way or the other from these people. That is all the news I really have. I am really hoping that someone, somewhere will contact me with something positive.

Kelly

**Kris10** · 04-03-2008, 09:08 AM

Kelly, do you have any fish that are very exotic? My dad raised fish when I was young. When we moved from Chicago to Wisconsin, the Shedd Aquarium took several of his fish because they needed the breeds for their collection. Perhaps the Shedd would take some if it comes down to that. Does anyone know of other aquariums? Zoos?