Complaint / Review
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

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!