To Wings of Hope-NJ, the applicants are "trailer park trash"?

Apparently, for Wings of Hope-NJ, applicants only apply because they can't afford to buy a bird. So after they reject you, they'll call you a bunch of names such as "broke trailer park trash" (as one groupie was put up to do it). Be careful, even if you submit a joint application where both applicants have graduate degrees and live in a luxury high-rise overlooking the NYC skyline (such as myself), you too can be labeled as trailer park trash by the omnipotent WOHNJ. Read the response I got from one of their groupies below:

"pwayfiness said...

It seems funny how you keep going on and on about maurice and wings of hope I'm wandering what type of fool are you really.You post this stuff and according to you you only had 1 visit how would you have seen his wife ? you had 1 visit duh maybe she wasnt home .You are as dumb as a tree stump better yet the stump is smarter.Your fighting to get a parrot that you were turned down for and 10 bucks lol .Let me find out your a broke trailer park trash."

I would have to dignify a response here, but the only reason why I only had 1 visit was because Maurice made sure I never visited again. He probably figured if he put on a "busy" act and stopped returning my calls, I'll get tired of calling him. Funny how he has time to respond on blogs ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY. Secondly, he claims his wife is the caretaker and she was home the day I visited. What really is at issue here is the fact that no meaningful effort is being made to get Soleil adopted. After all, Maurice gets to hold on to a very valuable and affectionate pet and get public funding as well - its the best of both worlds. Anyway, the responses by WOHNJ and their groupies speak for themselves: If you sign up with wings of hope-nj, consider your application fee gone, they'll stop returning your e-mails and phone calls and then call you "broke trailer park trash." for wanting their birds in the first place.

The Plot Thins!

Now WOHNJ tried to make a lame attempt to rehabilitate its foster host, "Maurice." The poster apparently knows every little intimate detail about Maurice, his past adoption history, all the little things he did for everyone, etc etc. He/She mentioned everything except how "Maurice" helped little old ladies cross the street.

Where in the world did he find the time to do this when he is so "busy" not returning phone calls, breaking appointments and blaming his visitors for his misfortunes? Does this man look like a boy scout to you? I'm not disputing the validity of the post, but c'mon, does this sound legit to you?

"Hello mr allen you seem upset because you werent able to get the parrot you wanted.Well I myself adopted a small parrot from maurice and he was very respectable when me and my family came for a visit .My kids loved him.He explained everything about the bird,the cage the food and everything.The parrot was in great health and still is til this day.If he didnt adopt to you there had to be a very good reason he knows his birds period.A friend of mines went to wings of hope to adopt a blue a blue and gold macaw down in rumson nj.From what I hear maurice drove down there to assist the lady with the large parrot and he did a great job my buddy and his wife learned alot from maurice and they posted it with wings of hope also.he knows his stuff and aparently he didnt approve you for some reason.From what i was told he is 1 of the best foster homes they have.This makeshift room your talking about I didnt see it and i been to his house and met lola his pitbull.She is huge but friendly once she knows you.I also had the chance to meet bella and she is his she wouldnt bond with any body else.I was told he adopted her ,I'f she is still posted then it's probaly a mis print or something.Any ways if you didnt get a parrot from wings of hope or maurice you didnt meet his requirements.Sorry you didnt but talking slander isnt gonna make it better.As far as I'm concerned he is a great person and according to several adopters and wings of hope and my self maurice is the greatest You need to move on and stop making trouble GROW UP ALLEN"

Questions? Comments?

Wings of Hope-NJ. WOHNJ posted my PRIVATE contact information, perhaps in retaliation for posting their information even though they are a tax exempt non profit organization that derives benefit from public exposure. Unlike WOHNJ, who never answers their phone and blocks e-mail addresses of applicants who have already paid their application fee.

Although WOHNJ threatened legal action against me for posting the organization's contact info (does this make sense to you?!), I'm going to save WOHNJ from a potential harassment claim and remove their post.

HOWEVER, If anyone would like to discuss this matter with me, they can call me on my direct line at 212-810-0023.

How many visits did Soleil have?

Now Wings of Hope NJ is changing their story around. Earlier in April they confirmed that I was Soleil's first and only visitor. Now the story has changed to 2 visitors. Wow, Maurice is keeping busy in making sure the birds get visited. How does he do it with such a BUSY schedule? Maurice says I need to learn the difference between a Parrot and a Dog. I think he needs a math lesson.

This is what Maurice wrote as a rebuttal on ripoffreport.com:

Mr Kaplun you are a joke you have been worned about this. My address was posted here without my knowledge I will persue charges on you asap .This is harrassment against me and wings of hope .Keep it up I'll gladly file charges I have your name number and full address .your not getting back a non refundable fee and your not getting a parrot from us .Your a fool any 1 comes to my home and see s the birds and my dog will laugh at you.You cant afford the stores fees that's why you came to us .You were approved for a medium sized bird.As stated the parrot you were interested in is a woman's bird cared for by a woman for 8 plus years when he came to us my wife who works from home takes care of him.So please before you write something please know what your talking about first.So I have visious dogs huh,rove it? Thats funny because I have pics of them with the birds and my children on our site.Futher more what you call a make shift computer room is a large room we dont use where 2 birds are housed .They both are out all day and have plenty of sun light fresh water ,and food. Have pictures to prove it and will show them to anybody.You are very slow minded. You and your girlfriend should go back to school to learn the diffrence between a dog and a parrot.Keep it up I love it I'll use all of this as evidence against you in court.This is harrassment .And as for soliel Id love for you to prove you were the only visiter.I have emails and messages from 2 other people who visited .PLEASE GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT I just cant believe your going threw all of this for 10 bucks This is very amuzing.You or you non functioning girlfriend have a clue about parrots . She wanted to pet his back on a first visit he snaps and she says oh he is so aggressive .Now thats stupidy.You even had to tell her more than once.Grow up and get a life.Why dont the 2 of you try adopting some common sense

good day"

Reply

from Docpitbull3@aol.com to allen.kaplun@gmail.com date Sat, Apr 17, 2010 at 11:20 AM subject Re: Wings of Hope mailed-by aol.com

hide details Apr 17

Hi Allen, You are the first and only applicant to date for Soliel, We only process one application at a time. Our foster homes have the decision since they are the daily care givers of the birds and know their body language and behaviors well. Our foster homes are obligated to have multiple visits with all our birds, this could be 2-3- or more.

It is my understanding that Maurice has been in touch with you and explained his busy work schedule, you were to call him by Wednesday to set up a visit which would allow him to set his work schedule for the weekend.

There seems to be a mis-communication and I apologize. I'm sure he will be in touch to set up a time and day for your second visit.

Judy

Does Soleil See The Light Of Day?

Below, is the e-mail that Wings of Hope-NJ (WOHNJ) foster host, "Maurice" sent me. In the interest of being fair and accurate, I have included his original e-mail to me. Please pardon the caps, typos and grammatical errors.

"MR ALLEN JUST SO YOUR AWARE THE POLICE WILL BE CONTACTED WITH YOUR NAME,ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER,AND ALL THE EMAILS AND SITES WHERE YOU PUT MY ADDRESS AND OTHER STUFF IF YOU KEEP THIS UP CHARGES WILL BE FILED AGAINST YOU. THE POLICE IN YOUR TOWN WILL BE NOTIFIED ALSO YOUR APPLICATION APPROVED YOU FOR A MEDIUM BIRD YOU OR YOU GIRLFRIEND DONT HAVE EXP WITH LARGE BIRDS TRY A GOLD FISH . ID LOVE FOR YOU TO PROVE THAT I HAVE VISIOUS DOGS IN MY HOME. THAT'S FUNNY BECAUSE I HAVE KIDS WHO PLAY WITH MY DOG ALL THE TIME IF THEY WERE SO VISIOUS WHY WOULD KIDS BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH THEM ? PLEASE GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH.ITS FUNNY YOUR UPSET BECUSE YOU WERE NOT A MATCH FOR THIS PARROT GET OVER IT WHO EVER APPROVED YOU FOR A LARGE PARROT DIDN'T HAVE FULL KNOWLEDGE EITHER .YOUR ACTIONS NOW PROVE ALOT . ALSO YOU PUT MY ADDRESS ONLINE AND THATS ILLEGAL YOU ARE ONLY MAKING A FOOL OF YOUR SELF.YES SOLIEL IS A WOMAN'S BIRD IM NOT HIS CARETAKER MY WIFE IS SO BEFORE YOU ASSUME GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT FIRST.IT CLEARLY STATES LARGE BIRDS REQUIRE SEVERAL VISITS .YOU COME WHEN IM AVALIABLE NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.SO YOUR UPSET BECAUSE YOU OR YOUR GIRLFRIEND GOT THE PARROT YOU WANTED .GROW UP AND GET OVER IT .YOU WERE NOT A GOOD MATCH END OF STORY.THIS IS NOT A SOCIAL CALL THIS IS TO INFORM YOU IF YOU KEEP YOUR CHILDISH ACTIONS UP CHARGES WILL BE FILED AGAINST YOU BY ME ,MY WIFE,AND WINGS OF HOPE AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN COURT AND KEEP IN MIND MY WIFE WAS HOME WHEN YOU CAME SO SHE HEARD EVERYTHING THAT WENT ON THAT DAY I HAVE ALL THE PROVE I NEED TO FILE CHARGES AGAINST YOU BASHING US ISNT GONNA GET SOLIEL GROW UP BE A MAN NOT A CHILD.IF THERE WAS A ISSUE ABOUT ME OR MY HOME WOH WOULD HAVE CONTACTED ME TO DISCUSS AND THEY HAVE NOT THE PETS IN MY HOME GET PLENTY OF SUN FRESH AIR AND ARE FREE TO GO WHERE EVER IN THE HOME AND THEY ARE FULLY FEATHERED AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THERE IS NO FRAUD HERE WITH WOH. YOU PAID YOUR NON REFUNDABLE FEE CAME AND SEN THE PARROT AND YOU WERE A MATCH BUT YOUR GIRLFRIEND WASN'T.HE REQUIRES A WOMAN CARETAKER WHICH WAS EXPLAINED TO YOU AND HE WILL NOT BE ADOPTED TO A WOMAN WHO ONLY WANTS TO HEAR HIM TALK OR PET HIS BACK.THAT IS SOME LARGE BIRD EXPERIENCE THE TWO OF YOU HAVE VERY FUNNY .THEN YOU GOT SOME NERVE TO ASK ABOUT BELLA. WHAT A JOKE.SHE IS WAY OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE BUDDY.THIS IS HARRASSMENT AND IT WILL BE FILED .THIS EMAIL WILL BE FORWARED TO WOH FOUNDER AND PRINTED OUT ANY OTHER HARRASSMENT FROM YOU WILL RESULT IN COURT PROCEEDINGS

GOOD DAY"

Since WOHNJ apparently blocked my email address (meaning they can write to me, but I can't write back to them), I was left with no choice but to communicate through this blog. Here are my questions for "Maurice."

1. How is it illegal to put up your address? after all, your address is public record. You agreed to become a foster host, thereby agreeing to allow many people to visit you in your lovely home until the birds you have are adopted. By virtue of your position as a volunteer foster host for WOHNJ, your home is considered a satellite branch of WOHNJ. But wait, I was the first and only visitor for 3 months, correct?

2. Thanks for recommending I get a goldfish. However, I have plenty of experience with all sorts of birds. I may not know everything there is to know about caring for birds but I would guess that housing them in a makeshift computer room where they don't see the light of day is wrong. Its just common sense.

3. If your dogs are not "visious", then why did you need to keep them locked up in a separate room and have me wait outside for a few minutes so you could hide the dogs?

4. I'm not upset because I wasn't a match for the bird. I'm upset that your organization is allowed to exist as a non-profit adoption center while at the same time providing less than appropriate care and denying people the right to adopt your birds.

5. If your wife is the caretaker, how come I have never seen, spoken to or otherwise communicated with her? How come she was somewhere in the house but made herself unavailable when we visited? Doesn't she have an interest in seeing who the applicants are?

6. Maybe the parrot requires more than someone that wants to provide affection. As a professional caretaker, is it your professional opinion that it is necessary to expand a bird's vocabulary by allowing it to learn expletives?

I sincerely welcome any opportunity to explain my side of the story in a court of law.

Wings of Hope Uses Donations to buy Booze and Smokes?

This is a post by a WOHNJ volunteer...

"I would like to say.. I have dealt with wings of hope.. BEWARE !!! I also volunteered with them for a short time.. They dumped birds on me and refussed to feed them as agreed.. My name was cloned on a fake contract.. yes I have it all..as well as the original I did sign.. They also tried to sew me for a bird I bought and was lied to about..They lost they lost they lost !!! I also did a fund raiser for them and found my stuff as well as many others things was sold to buy groceries and wine and smokes..And got busted in that lie in court.. I fought to get the birds vetted in my care.. I found one had possible kidney failure and was up for sale.. I still hold that vet report. I know allot !!! Also my purchase check was made out to the owner and she used it to take her boyfriend to the Bahamas.. I have those confirming emails as well. The birds are tested with a poop swab and that's it.. they in most cases never vetted before a sale.. I also bought cages that were to be used for the birds.. and told checks were to be made out in the owners names.. Now that's real rescue. I also witnessed the comments from the founder saying I am planting grass seed.. I said it won't take.. she said I don't give a shit wings of hope is paying for it. I have also seen how some of the birds are treated.. if spaying them in the face is cool and screaming at them and keeping them covered in a dirty cage is OK.. well then I guess they are great.. I also found out that when I drove many hours out of pocket to transport birds to N.C. that I should have checked with the permits that should have came with the birds as well as vet checks.. I was contacted by non game and wildlife permit people in Jersey as they were being investigated.. and this maybe why they wanted me to bring the birds to NC. I picked up 4 birds..2 macaws..dove.. amazon parrot . Clearly the birds were not in great health.. and the owners of the rescue had never set eyes on the birds.. This is a very large problem.. The latest attempt on me was the owner reported a false robbery of 13,00 in jewelry and named me as suspect..she did everything she could to shut me up by trying to get me jailed.. It did not work for many reasons.. She tried to get me to deliver birds to her home.. I refused... and thank god I did..it was a set up..so her plan failed that time as well.. Her maid opened the investigators eyes to the fact some thing was fishy about the supposed robbery .. I have to say most of the volunteers are good people that just care about the birds..And many had emailed me about similar issues ...And thank god they did.. I found out a bunch.And was able to discredit near any statements made.. To them I am so grateful.. but I also asked them to remain silent do to they are still volunteers and the birds need them. I still hurt deep inside for the birds I had and have that I adopted..This is something I will never forget as long as I live.. Please do your home work before getting a bird..and as soon as you get one..GO TO THE VET !!! God bless everyone and I hope you never have to deal with this type of thing as I have.. Also I would like to say I followed a bird that was in Phoenix landing and must say they spent thousands on the bird who needed major surgery.. The bird now has a chance at life thanks to them and this is what a real rescue does and thanks to one of your members.. I was able to get threw my issues with this rescue.. Keep up the good work..And thank you for all the great info on your site that helped me work with the birds I fostered with big issues.. "

http://forums.manhattanbirdclub.com/post/show_single_post?pid=31081976&postcount=13

Wings of Hope NJ is a fraud!

WINGS OF HOPE NJ ONLY SELLS HOPE!

If you're looking to adopt a bird in the NJ area, please read this post about a very shady organization called Wings of Hope NJ. More importantly, if you're looking to give your bird up for adoption, you MUST read this post.

Wings of Hope NJ is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supposedly holds itself out as a repository for pet owners that need to give up their birds for adoption and places these birds in foster care until a suitable person comes along to adopt them.

This is my account of my experience with Wings of Hope NJ. Please note that this organization should not be confused with other "Wings of Hope" organizations, as there are plenty with similar names. Now, on with my story...

After scrolling through many possible pets, I embarked on a gorgeous 9 yr old double yellow amazon parrot named Soleil who in care of this organization. Soleil seemed perfectly suitable for me as I have large bird experience and can tend to his needs. Wings of Hope NJ forced me to fill out an application (no problem) and pay a $10 "processing donation" (which I reluctantly did). Shortly thereafter, I was contacted by Michelle Beckford of the organization for a preliminary interview. Then I received a telephone call from the foster host, Maurice. and thats when all went downhill.

Link to Soleil:

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/15813732

Maurice

Maurice described the bird to me and even showed me some pictures. However, after agreeing to my request to see Soleil the next day, he refused to provide me with an address, although I asked for it numerous times. Maurice would not return my e-mails, text messages, or phone calls. Finally, he sent me a text message in the later afternoon telling me he needs to cancel. I even called Michelle Beckford of the organization to help me get in touch with Maurice, but to no avail.

The following week, I miraculously am able to get a hold of Maurice and convince him to let me see Soleil that day. He even gave me his address. WOW.

We drive down to Perth Amboy on 2 hours notice to see Soleil only to discover that the beautiful exotic bird is housed in a makeshift computer room with various other birds, including a blue-gold Macaw named Bella who, according to petfinder.com is also up for adoption. The only source of sunlight the birds had was from the radioactive glare coming from the computer monitor. It was absolutely SHOCKING to see birds being housed like that. Additionally, Maurice kept several ferocious pitbulls in the home.

Soleil instantly took a liking to me. He was very receptive, ate out of my hand and indicated that he was comfortable in interacting with me. After spending an hour with Soleil, Maurice and I tentatively agreed to see Soleil the following week at approximately the same time. I also inquired about Bella and Maurice told me that he already adopted Bella, which I found strange because she is still listed as up for adoption according to petfinder.com

Link to Bella. Supposedly she's already adopted.

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/14872140

A few days later, I called Maurice to confirm our appointment. I left a message for him because he never picks up the phone. He called me back within minutes but only to confirm my identity. The conversation went something like this:

11: 00 a.m.

Maurice: Hello?

Allen: Hi Maurice. This is Allen, I just called to confirm if we're on for Saturday.

Maurice: Oh, I didn't know it was your number. I'm going to put you in my address book and give you a call back at around 2pm.

Allen: Ok. We'll talk later today then.

==

That was the last phone call I ever received from him!

On the following Saturday (the day, we were to see Soleil for the 2nd time), I received an early morning e-mail cancellation from Maurice after texting and e-mailing him numerous times. I was assured by Maurice if the bird demonstrates that he is comfortable with me, I could adopt him and take him home that same day. In anticipation of adopting Soleil on the 2nd visit, I bought a carrier and made arrangements with a vet :(

The plot thickens...

After involving Judy (docpitbull3@aol.com) in this matter, Maurice e-mails me with a request to give him notice by "Monday April 20" of when I would like to see Soleil and he will respond to me by April 22. Aside from the fact that April 20 falls on a Tuesday, I immediately responded to Maurice that I would like to see Soleil the morning of April 24th or any time on April 25th.

"Monday April 20th"

Maurice oddly responds by asking me to write to him on the 20th (notice by the 20th now becomes on the 20th). I decided to humor this man and wrote to him on Sunday April 18, Monday April 19th and Tuesday April 20th - reminding him that I am available to see Soleil on the morning of April 24th or any time on April 25th. Finally, after e-mailing Maurice on April 22nd, he responds that he can only show Soleil on Saturday at 3pm, avoids discussing Sunday and blames me for his lost business after we saw Soleil two weeks earlier for 1 hour.

Reluctantly, I agreed to 3pm. After all, he knew how inconvenient it would be for me to coordinate a vet visit after 5 pm on a Saturday. Immediately afterwards, he switched the time to 4pm, ensuring that even if I picked up Soleil that day, Soleil would not be able to see a vet until the following Monday.

The final straw

I complained to Wings of Hope NJ about this unprofessional and atrocious conduct, alerted them to Soleil's unhealthy living conditions and requested either a resolution or refund of my "processing donation" to which I was offensively declined.

What adoption?

Admittedly, wings of hope nj told me that I was Soleil's first visitor and according to petfinder.com, Soleil has been in foster care for at least 3 months. 1 visit in 3 months?!?!

Is this really an adoption organization? Or is this just a front created by a group of people to acquire and receive subsidies for their exotic birds?

PETCO Foundation

The Petco Foundation seems to be Wings of Hope NJ's primary source of funding. Perhaps its time that the Petco Foundation realized that their money is going towards a front that houses birds in dangerous, unhealthy and unsanitary conditions. Moreover, the birds have a greater chance of winning the Powerball lottery than they do of getting adopted because they receive perhaps 4 visits per year from potential applicants IF THEY ARE LUCKY.