shellbell4ever

In case any of you didn't know...I'm the self check out girl (ez scan queen) at the supermarket where I work,which is located at the end of the store by the floral department...and while browsing around there today what did I see
That's Right...we now have Betta's in Vases Very nice looking Betta's in Vase's A Beautiful Blue/Green Veil Tail and a Very Handsome Red Crown tail(for now)In with those peace lily plants,Large Vase's,But non the less Vases...I don't know what to do?Part of me wanted to yell and scream at the girls in floral (I really like the girls in Floral) about the proper care of these poor Betta's and what there doing to them ,Part of me wants to buy them and take them home (but I know I can't do that)And I know they wouldn't not sell them, to them it's just business!
I was thinking of printing up a little care sheet that they could include with the Betta's if and when they sell them..Any suggestions on how to handle this situation..I need to keep my job by the way (LOL)

Chief_waterchanger

You could -try- explaining the situation the manager, but if they don't care then there is little you can do.

Lucy

Oh, that's a dilemma, for sure. Oh Lordy.
Care sheets would be a good idea if she'll listen. Perhaps if you started your conversation asking why they wanted to start carrying fish, and go from there.

Good luck.

Shawnie

I agree with the lil caresheets like printed on a 3 x 5 index card.. great great idea

Martinismommy

Yikes......This is a hard one for sure...Maybe just print out some care sheet cards with a link to this website?

Tazmiche

oh you poor thing!!!!

Personally i'd go to the manager, voice my opinions and then do as you say ask if you can provide careplan leaflets to go with the pets!!! You could maybe suggest that the store start selling tanks heaters etc in the future to keep the people coming back!!!! A new product line with good advice thrown in is good for business!!!! Make it work for good!!! Good luck kid!!!

sirdarksol

I'm for this suggestion.

mrsmuffin

I agree with CWC and Sir, you can certainly talk to them and voice your concernsm, but I wouldn't advise that you push too much...

pamd

What a dilemma!

You seem like a very diplomatic and articulate person, so I'm thinking you could go to the manager and express your thoughts in a gentle way. I'd say to do your best to talk them out of offering bettas in vases. Surely, it can't be a huge profit-maker for the store, can it? It's just a "lovely" little thing the store offers its customers, right? From an economic point of view, the store doesn't need a bunch of dead bettas being returned, unhappy people who had no clue what they were doing but unwittingly got attached to their new little pets, etc. It might be that your best bet is to appeal to the managers' economic point of view, rather than an animal abuse one.

The store really shouldn't be carrying bettas in vases, and probably there's no room in the store to add necessary aquatic equipment for the home hobbyist. So people will just pick up the betta vases and go, just like they would with a vase of expendable cut flowers or a slightly more lasting plant. "Ohhhh, that's pretty! I'll take this to Aunt Margie's as a little gift!" With impulse purchases like that, purchasers have no idea about the responsibility of caring for fish, much less the people they "endow" with these precious living gifts.

Your care-card idea seems like a good one, if there is no other recourse. But I really hope you are willing to diplomatically pursue getting rid of the management's probably well-meaning but cruel offerings. I think you can do it and still keep the job. Maybe they'll even thank you later.

shellbell4ever

Thank you all for all your suggestions and support.
After sleeping on it... I have decided to print up a couple of care sheets and give them to the girls in the Floral Department and ask them to include with the sale of the "arrangements",I don't think it will be a problem as I have become friendly with them both over the years,At the least I can try to inform them...And while I'm there I can keep an eye on them as well

COBettaCouple

Good luck with them. I'd love to see the store show some compassion and care for these little living creatures that make such great pets.

shellbell4ever

The care sheets were a big hit...Turns out the floral Manager (Gwen) recently just lost her Betta and had no idea they needed filtration or a heater,she's going to get a new 10 gallon setup and start over with her new found information Then a New Betta
On a sad note The Beauty of a Red Crown tail did not make it...she came and told me he was lying on the bottom trying to swim...I went to see and he was covered in some kind of fungus I said if he was still hanging in there when I got off I would take him home with me!!She said no problem,we did a water change with a little warmer temp and added tetra safe tap conditioned (we sell it in our pet dept)To no avail he was gone before my shift was up...She also said they will NOT Be selling Betta's in Vases anymore!!!

Lucy

It's so sad that the bettas didn't make it.

You did such a wonderful thing and although these unfortunate bettas didn't pull through, their lives were not in vain. They taught such a valuable lesson. One less store selling bettas in vases!

Big to you for making the care sheets and teaching Gwen proper Betta care.

Good job Shell.

Red wag platy

That sounds wonderful. It's so nice to see that she cares.

mrsmuffin

Good job ShellBell! I hate that a beautiful boy had to die, but think of all the bettas you saved by not being afraid to voice your opinion and share your knowledge.

jdhef

Pat yourself on the back, you made a difference!

COBettaCouple

I'm sorry that little guy didn't make it, but he got love there at the end and you'll be helping future Bettas live in better conditions there.

Devon

KUDOS to you for being proactive about this difficult (and for betta lovers, very touchy!) dilemma. I'm sorry that it cost a betta life, but I know that he would be proud knowing that his life (and death) was not in vain; because of him you were able to help save countless of his brothers from the fate they would surely have met in those vases.