dean
Member
Having been in and out of the trade over the past 25 years, you will have to believe me when I say the worst people are the public, you can try to educate them but if your answer is not what they want to hear they will ignore it and do what they want anyway 🙁
As an example last year I was the manager of the pet department in a large garden centre and one day a woman with her young son came to me and asked if I could get her a snowy owl or a barn owl, I explained they are not pets, she said if Harry potter had one them why couldn't she? After 15 minutes explaining to her she turned round and pointed out a pure white budgie and said "I'll take that instead then" I refused to sell her it.. She went to complain to the general manager, this plus a few other things like not stocking fish bowls or unfiltered tanks led to our parting.
The general public view fish as disposable pets, and the trade relies on this, as people kill fish so they come back and replace them🙁
Serious fish keepers research the fish before buying them and keep them in suitable conditions, and usually belong to clubs or forums to expand their knowledge..
The worst customer from a trade point of view are people with a serious interest in planted aquariums as they don't buy many fish and the ones they do, live a long and healthy life
So sorry for the long ramble but there's no easy solution to fish cruelty, if every fish bought lived a full and healthy life then less fish would be imported= less shops stock fish= prices would rise
Most councils that licence pet shops have no idea about water quality etc 🙁
As an example last year I was the manager of the pet department in a large garden centre and one day a woman with her young son came to me and asked if I could get her a snowy owl or a barn owl, I explained they are not pets, she said if Harry potter had one them why couldn't she? After 15 minutes explaining to her she turned round and pointed out a pure white budgie and said "I'll take that instead then" I refused to sell her it.. She went to complain to the general manager, this plus a few other things like not stocking fish bowls or unfiltered tanks led to our parting.
The general public view fish as disposable pets, and the trade relies on this, as people kill fish so they come back and replace them🙁
Serious fish keepers research the fish before buying them and keep them in suitable conditions, and usually belong to clubs or forums to expand their knowledge..
The worst customer from a trade point of view are people with a serious interest in planted aquariums as they don't buy many fish and the ones they do, live a long and healthy life
So sorry for the long ramble but there's no easy solution to fish cruelty, if every fish bought lived a full and healthy life then less fish would be imported= less shops stock fish= prices would rise
Most councils that licence pet shops have no idea about water quality etc 🙁
At least, each betta seems to be in an - "allegedly" - appropriate environment when photographed... On a side note, I just got a gourgeous crowntail from such a rough retailer as one of the major "general pets chain" (not sure I can mention names). I came one day - and here they were, not with suitable tankmates, etc. I resisted. A day or so after, I was shopping in a superm,arket in the area, and could not resist having a look. My "number one" at the first visit has gone - probably (and sadly!) to a child's plastic tank whith nobody of the parent having a slightest clue what is the best way to keep them. So, I simply could not pick up the "number two" - healthy crowntail with red fins and dark body. A tank had to be put up (I have a few spare ones in the losft and of course a lot of media from existing tanks filters and a lot of plants). And here he is - strted to built a bubble nest straight away - I am guessing he is happy...
