Just went to Petsmart

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I've been thinking for a while that there should be some kind of regulations about pet stores and quality issues. If the FDA and OSHA exist, why isn't there something for things like this? Dogs, cats, etc have been rescued from bad living conditions, but fish? It would be neat if things like "fish rescues" existed, for people who bought oscars for 10 gallon tanks and whatnot.
I've also found that some of the employees at our local Petsmart and Petco can sometimes be MORE knowledgeable than the LFS. Some of the employees at my favorite LFS give me conflicting advice. People need to put the fish's health at as much priority as their sales.

I've been eyeing a small oscar at one LFS for a while, wishing I could take him in. His eyes are messed up, and I'm sure no one will buy him, but he seems to be getting gradually bigger. I'll start a new thread if necessary, but what would you guys do in my position? I have a 55gallon with a GT and a few small rainbow fish (I'm not attached to the rainbows by any means) and a 38 that's at capacity. I wish I could go and get him. . . :(
 
bluegryffin;1503997; said:
I've been thinking for a while that there should be some kind of regulations about pet stores and quality issues. If the FDA and OSHA exist, why isn't there something for things like this? Dogs, cats, etc have been rescued from bad living conditions, but fish? It would be neat if things like "fish rescues" existed, for people who bought oscars for 10 gallon tanks and whatnot.
I've also found that some of the employees at our local Petsmart and Petco can sometimes be MORE knowledgeable than the LFS. Some of the employees at my favorite LFS give me conflicting advice. People need to put the fish's health at as much priority as their sales.

I've been eyeing a small oscar at one LFS for a while, wishing I could take him in. His eyes are messed up, and I'm sure no one will buy him, but he seems to be getting gradually bigger. I'll start a new thread if necessary, but what would you guys do in my position? I have a 55gallon with a GT and a few small rainbow fish (I'm not attached to the rainbows by any means) and a 38 that's at capacity. I wish I could go and get him. . . :(
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hey man if you a re attached id get it.;
just remember youd need to upgrade to a 75 or bigger one day.
 
bluegryffin;1503997; said:
I've been thinking for a while that there should be some kind of regulations about pet stores and quality issues. If the FDA and OSHA exist, why isn't there something for things like this? Dogs, cats, etc have been rescued from bad living conditions, but fish? It would be neat if things like "fish rescues" existed, for people who bought oscars for 10 gallon tanks and whatnot.
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That would be about impossible to regulate. There's just not enough manpower or funding for something like that. The part of the USDA that oversees dog breeders and pet stores doesn't even have enough people to watch everyone, or enough people to watch those people, which is why you get so many puppy mill and pet store horror stories. It especially would not be possible to get enough people to oversee fish living conditions.

The primary people that determine the quality of the fish section at Petsmart are the managers. Getting nasty with the people that maintain the fish section or net fish out isn't going to do much since they're ultimately under the supervision of their managers.
I was told in one location - when we asked why they were selling people too many fish for their tanks, even going as far as telling them that they could fit more when the employees knew they could not - that the regional manager told them to NEVER REFUSE SALES TO ANYONE NO MATTER WHAT and even to ENCOURAGE people to buy more and more fish. This is largely against Petsmarts corporate policy where they're not supposed to sell animals to people that don't have proper housing. But the regional manager wants that particular store to have the highest sales possible, which basically means going against the rules.

So if you encounter poor husbandry practices at Petsmart do NOT even bother speaking with the person working in the fish section unless they're a manager. Speak to a manager and if they cannot give you a good explanation call the corporate hotline. Petsmart corporate doesn't like getting complaints about animal welfare in general at their stores because it looks bad, and managers have gotten in trouble for going against corporate policy.
 
well they have a litter busters hot line that if you see someone litter you can call that number with their liscence plate number and they will receive the maximum fine for littering. They send the citation in the mail. They should have a number to call for inhmanity or cruel conditions.
 
I was in Petsmart yesterday, just on a whim I asked to see their filtration room, the girl showed me around behind the scenes for about 45 minutes and answered every question I could "throw" at her... I was impressed with their filtration set-up...I was shocked they let me see it.
 
scubasteve06;1504542; said:
well they have a litter busters hot line that if you see someone litter you can call that number with their liscence plate number and they will receive the maximum fine for littering. They send the citation in the mail. They should have a number to call for inhmanity or cruel conditions.
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Well, unless you're not in the US, that would be state or local, and that's the level you'll have to work at if you wanna get anti-cruelty legislation in place. Some cities DO consider poor living conditions for fish cruelty, but animal cruelty laws are pretty light in most places in general.

The other poster mentioned OSHA and the FDA which are at the federal level, and there's no way a federal organization could regulate something like that effectively, nor should they have to. It's up to you and the citizens where you're at to try to get laws like that in place locally.
 
I used to work at a poopsmart and let me tell you they frown upon outside knowledge.

Its like bringing technology into an Amish colony, they just close their eyes, cover their ears and repeat, "Lala la la, I'm not listening! La la la la..."

They don't want you to help the customers, they want you to sell fish, the only reason they keep the tanks clean is so they can sell more fish. The reason the cards are all labeled wrong? So they can sell more fish. The reason they only seperate the fish into 5 categories, again to sell more fish. Its a business, keep that in mind, its just walmart with live animals.
 
RD's just became my favorite fish so far today. After only two days he has claimed much of the tank to himself and starting at the top of the pecking order to mess with the others.
 
Here are some pics of the little devil.;)

Here is a pic of him in the glass trying to attack me as always and if you look in the back by the rocks you can see my JD that is twice his size and bulk kinding looking sheepishly at him after he flared his gills and his mouth at him.



The second pic is of the Texas he put in its place. The texas has some girth on him but no length. Obviously the little RD just doesn't care lol.

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Good save Scuba.... I hope you QT
 
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