Unfiltered Story #219143

We are a small wildlife rehab center. Our building is attached to a vet’s office, but we are not associated with them. Down the road is a small zoo. Sometimes people call and are confused, thinking we are either the vet or the zoo, but this call was extra confusing.

Caller: Hi, I live on [lake nearby] and I have a potato field across the street. People came and sprayed my crops with pesticides and I need to know what it was and if it’s in the ground now. And I need you to come test the lake for water quality and make sure it’s not contaminated.

Me: I’m sorry, we don’t do water testing. I can ask my boss and see if she has another number we can give you for someone who can better help you with this.

I get two numbers from my boss from the Dep. of Agriculture and give them to the caller.

Caller: Can’t you just come and test the water for me?

Me: No, I’m sorry, we don’t do water testing, we are just a small wildlife rehabilitation center.

Caller: But I thought water resource management could do that.

Me: They might, but we are not associated with them. We only work with wild animals.

Caller: Aren’t you natural resource management?

Me: No, we are not.

Caller: Fine, I’ll call those numbers.

A couple minutes later, she calls back, saying the numbers arent working. I get the laptop out and start looking for a number for someone else.

Me: Hi, ma’am. I’ve found a number for a water quality biologist who may be able to help you more.

Caller: Okay, but I need you to tell me what pesticides they’re using on my crops!

Me: I’m sorry, I’m not sure who you should talk to about that.

Caller: So you’re telling me that NOONE in the ENTIRE state of Wisconsin can tell me what is being put on my crops?

Me: No, I’m saying that I myself do not have that information.

Caller: Fine, give me the number.

Luckily she never called back.