MissFirefly
New member
This is a warning post about Austin Deine (real name Austin Sheldon) and Juliah Deine (real name Julia Silkman) from Hooksett, NH who stole a bag of carnivore care from my rescue and attempted to claim a refund on vet services that were paid for by my rescue. Additionally, after surrendering a bearded dragon due to an admittance of an inability to pay vet care were shortly trying to purchase breeding groups of reptiles.
The timeline of events are as follows -
December 2, 2015 - Started a conversation with Austin about accepting a bearded dragon into our rescue in his possession that he could not afford vet care for as the animal was showing signs of moderate-to-severe MBD (attachment #1). Agreed to accept the animal and a vet visit was scheduled for December 4th by Austin, under Juliah's name, that my rescue would pay for as we need documentation from a vet before transporting the bearded dragon from New Hampshire to Massachusetts.
December 4, 2015 - Called the vet in the morning, explained what we needed from the visit, and left our credit card information to cover the cost of the exam. That evening, checked our credit card statement online and noticed the bill was over $200. Tried calling but the office was closed. Messaged Austin on Facebook and he indicated they did blood work as well (attachment #2).
December 5, 2015 - A volunteer picked up the bearded dragon from Juliah Deine at approximately 10:00 AM as well as getting the invoice and medical records from the vet visit. Per my request, the volunteer looked over the invoice and noticed that in addition to the exam and blood work there was a charge for a $19.85 bag of carnivore care that was not given with the bearded dragon (attachment #3). The volunteer texted Austin about returning to get the carnivore care but he requested to ship instead (attachment #4). Austin then messaged me on Facebook about the bag of carnivore care and asked to ship. I agreed, sent my address, and he confirmed shipping on December 8, 2015 (attachment #5 & #6).
December 8, 2015 - Austin posted on Facebook looking for breeding groups of crested geckos or gargoyle geckos just 3 days after surrendering the bearded dragon to us due to an inability to pay for vet care (attachment #7).
December 9, 2015 - Sent three messages to Austin between the 9th and 10th asking him, or Juliah, to release the medical records from the vet so we could access them. No response (attachment #8).
December 10, 2015 - Called the vet, Northside Animal Hospital, to discuss why we were charged for services we did not authorize without a phone call before running our credit card. During the conversation, the receptionist informed me that Juliah had called the clinic demanding they refund the cost of the blood work ($136.30) because they did not agree to is. The clinic, knowing that Juliah had not paid for any of the services related to the bearded dragon, refused to issue the refund to her.
December 16, 2015 - Austin posts on Facebook again looking to sell or trade a leopard gecko (attachment #9).
January 5, 2016 - Austin posted in Reptile and Exotic Pet Classifieds of New England a sales post regarding slimming his collection where he mentions that a "1.0 unknown bearded dragon loves carnivore mix". Since the carnivore care had not arrived, I responded asking if it was the carnivore care that he stole from my rescue. He responds but after several requests does not provide a tracking number and marks the post as sold to hide it from view (attachment #10).
While I do not find stealing acceptable in any capacity, find it very disheartening that these individuals found it acceptable to steal and lie from a rescue after us assisting them and leads me to believe they may do worse to hobbyists, breeders, etc.
The timeline of events are as follows -
December 2, 2015 - Started a conversation with Austin about accepting a bearded dragon into our rescue in his possession that he could not afford vet care for as the animal was showing signs of moderate-to-severe MBD (attachment #1). Agreed to accept the animal and a vet visit was scheduled for December 4th by Austin, under Juliah's name, that my rescue would pay for as we need documentation from a vet before transporting the bearded dragon from New Hampshire to Massachusetts.
December 4, 2015 - Called the vet in the morning, explained what we needed from the visit, and left our credit card information to cover the cost of the exam. That evening, checked our credit card statement online and noticed the bill was over $200. Tried calling but the office was closed. Messaged Austin on Facebook and he indicated they did blood work as well (attachment #2).
December 5, 2015 - A volunteer picked up the bearded dragon from Juliah Deine at approximately 10:00 AM as well as getting the invoice and medical records from the vet visit. Per my request, the volunteer looked over the invoice and noticed that in addition to the exam and blood work there was a charge for a $19.85 bag of carnivore care that was not given with the bearded dragon (attachment #3). The volunteer texted Austin about returning to get the carnivore care but he requested to ship instead (attachment #4). Austin then messaged me on Facebook about the bag of carnivore care and asked to ship. I agreed, sent my address, and he confirmed shipping on December 8, 2015 (attachment #5 & #6).
December 8, 2015 - Austin posted on Facebook looking for breeding groups of crested geckos or gargoyle geckos just 3 days after surrendering the bearded dragon to us due to an inability to pay for vet care (attachment #7).
December 9, 2015 - Sent three messages to Austin between the 9th and 10th asking him, or Juliah, to release the medical records from the vet so we could access them. No response (attachment #8).
December 10, 2015 - Called the vet, Northside Animal Hospital, to discuss why we were charged for services we did not authorize without a phone call before running our credit card. During the conversation, the receptionist informed me that Juliah had called the clinic demanding they refund the cost of the blood work ($136.30) because they did not agree to is. The clinic, knowing that Juliah had not paid for any of the services related to the bearded dragon, refused to issue the refund to her.
December 16, 2015 - Austin posts on Facebook again looking to sell or trade a leopard gecko (attachment #9).
January 5, 2016 - Austin posted in Reptile and Exotic Pet Classifieds of New England a sales post regarding slimming his collection where he mentions that a "1.0 unknown bearded dragon loves carnivore mix". Since the carnivore care had not arrived, I responded asking if it was the carnivore care that he stole from my rescue. He responds but after several requests does not provide a tracking number and marks the post as sold to hide it from view (attachment #10).
While I do not find stealing acceptable in any capacity, find it very disheartening that these individuals found it acceptable to steal and lie from a rescue after us assisting them and leads me to believe they may do worse to hobbyists, breeders, etc.
I was tinkering a bit on my phone for uploading but no luck
