Zaksee Florida Bird Sanctuary, Inc

When I first visited Zak sees I thought it was a paradise for birds. I have now had deeper experiences there I would advise that you NEVER bring birds here. Though Magic loves birds and can build wonderful sturdy avaries he is not in a position right now to care for the immense number of birds that he has. While my birds were there I constantly worried about them. He often complained to me that horrible owners didn't give money to him so he wouldn't give them access to their birds. He did not have a safety plan in place for the hurricane. The night of the hurricane when the wind got fowl, he rushed and placed all of the birds in a small container (crate) that is his home. I have been informed that up to 10 got away but he denies it. After the hurricane I tried to do a count and some appeared to be missing. He is unorganized, does not provide documents for discovery (a requirement for all 501c3 organizations) and does not offer contracts when birds are placed there. One thing I really dislike about his rescue is that he treats "homeless" birds differently from others. If the birds are drop offs they are placed in tiny cages in the back corner and never let out in the free roaming cages like most of the other birds are. They are rarely seen or played with. He was offered free housing for these birds who he appears to resent but refused to allow them to be placed there. I have learned alot from this experience. It has been a horrid experience. I took my own bird home during the hurricane and 2 others. He became hostile when I refused to keep my birds there. He wouldn't help me retrieve my bird so I had to make a legal complaint. Many of his cages are filthy and unhealthy. I have tried to get him help with repairs and aid, he refuses all outside help as he is incredibly paranoid about others "stealing" HIS birds. Most of his birds belong to owners who are in difficult situations and he is resentful at them for not giving him money. He at times tried to manipulate me emotionally for money saying he would euthanize many of the birds if people didn't give him more money. Whenever I asked questions he would bark, "Are you going To giVE ME 20,ooo dollars?" He also told me stories of raccoons killing birds because their outside habitats are not safe from other predators. That made me worry constantly. Magic has skills and compassion for birds but he does not have skills for running a non profit business and he does not have access to resources to do the job. I have heard him refuse donations in a rather vulgar tone. This is not a reputable rescue organization. My birds are now safe elsewhere.