Hi everyone- I'm new here and I came for a specific purpose- we have a major problem in my home town involving a person who is falsely representing himself as an animal rescue. By googling his name... I was led here, and read some very disturbing links.
I am hesitant in bringing it up because the posts are all very old, but this is a serious problem.
There is a man here in Charlotte, NC area, who goes by the names Ray Thomas or Strickland. His email is
phantomreptiles@yahoo.com. He mostly uses Craigslist, but has been known to branch out into other local free adds.
He came to my attention because I have been a licensed animal rescuer for 12 years. We are a close knit group here in Charlotte, and I am one of the few rescuers that will take in exotics, including large boids and pythons. So when we started seeing a "new herp rescuer" posting, we got a little curious. He continually posted that he would take in any reptiles that were in need and give them a long life at his "very nice" habitat. Unfortunately, he was stupid enough to immediately post the animals for sale, on the same site he adopted them from, and the owners caught on. We started getting flooded with requests to verify his agency, and complaints about the care of the animals they "surrendered" to his "rescue". There is no verification- he doesn't have a 501c3 and he's not licensed. He's scamming for free reptiles to resell. So, we sent out a warning about him and let it go, since there really wasn't much else we could do.
Until yesterday, when he emailed me about some ferrets I had up for adoption. He offered me $25 for 3 ferrets, and when I explained that our adoption fees are non-negotiable ($150 for three and their cage and supplies) and that he had to go through an adoption application and adopting process (just being polite, because of course I would never adopt to him), he blew up. His first response was that his plan was to feed the ferrets to his snakes. Continually throughout his abusive emails he threatened adopting animals to feed them to snakes- puppies, kittens, ferrets whatever I suppose. He threatened specifically with "You never know who adopts your animals so watch out I will get them". I received several incoherent, abusive and childish emails. I've posted a few of them below here. Of course, I do know who adopts my animals and I have no fear that he will get them, but I was concerned enough to tap into the national network.
He's since been added to the national DNA (Do Not Adopt) list. All animal controls, shelters, adoption agencies, petstores that work with rescue, and newspapers have been given his name and alias. He'll not be allowed near them, or their animals. We've also been posting warnings in papers about his dealings.
My question is this: Is he still an "active" member of the herp community? Is he still selling animals? Has his reputation bounced back or gotten worse or anything, IE has anyone had any dealings with him recently? I'm just trying to get as much information as possible. Like I said, the damage has been done, he's already been locked out, but some of us are interested in helping the owners of the animals sold prosecute for fraud so we are gathering what we can.
(This is just the jist, I didn't copy all of the emails)
____
from Ray thomas <
s@yahoo.com">phantomreptile
s@yahoo.com>
date Apr 30, 2008 4:24 AM
subject petfinder ferret
I will give you $25 for it all.
-----
Hello-
Our adoption fees are non-negotiable. We are charged with finding excellent homes for these animals, and we feel that if someone has a problem with a minimal adoption fee of $150 for all supplies and the kids, they will not be interested in spending much larger amounts on good food, care, and vet bills in the future. If you do have interest in one of our animals, please fill out an adoption application available at
www.adoptcarol ina.com and someone may contact you.
------
rom Ray thomas <
s@yahoo.com">phantomreptile
s@yahoo.com>
hey ferrets are illegal any ways on her!
or didn't you get the memo.
Good luck selling that any ways.
im jus looking for good snake food!!!
like ferrets rabbits guineas and puppys and kittens
_---------
Ferrets are not illegal in North Carolina. Perhaps you could do a little bit of research on that topic. Ferrets are only illegal in the state of CA, Washington DC, NY, Bloomington Minnesota, Beaumont Texas, and Columbia Missouri. I happen to be the president of the ferret club for NC...believe me, I am quite aware of the laws.
Our rescue ferrets are not "For sale". They are for adoption. The prices are to help us cover their vet bills. If $75 for a ferret and cage is too much for you to pay, you will obviously dump the poor baby when you see a vet bill of $350 just for routine shots. That is our logic.
Obviously from your ignorant and cruel behavior, you'll not be allowed near a rescue ferret. From past exposure to your name and "rescue", Mr Strickland, we have already issued warnings. Because of this recent episode you will be placed on the DNA list- do not adopt, for nationwide rescuers and animal controls.
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BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH.
And i have no idea what you are talking about.!
You are a fool lame to the core.
So keep on guessing .
Hey you never know who buys your ferrets!!
if i get them they are food!!!!
Ferrets are not friend,THEY ARE FOOD!!
And if you had a license you would be known by someone!!
Every one i ask about you doesnt know you!!
So who are you again??? And where did you get your license--Oh i;m sorry at WALMART!!!
Tell whom ever you want!!
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For the record, my license number etc is all easily obtained through any public office, and on my personal website. And I'm actually quite relieved I am not known in his little circle. But anyway, this whole thing is a mess and we are trying to figure out any recent activity from him. Any help would be appreciated- thank you all very much.
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