AquarAdvent

Well, I went to Walmart on some errands, and decided to take a look at the fish. Not such a good idea. I was relieved that they had very few bettas, but I saw one that was very sick. He was floating at the water's surface, and at first I thought he was dead. But his gills were moving rapidly. His body was curled to one side, and no matter how he tried, he couldn't right himself or even move. His water was absolutely filthy. I took him home. I know it's bad to have paid for him since it encourages Walmart's betta business, but I couldn't leave him there to die. What made me scoop him up was seeing a sign instructing the employees to flush any dead fish down the public toilets and report them in the "inventory book." Any living creature deserves more respect. I got him into some clean water and tried to feed him, but he just couldn't. This morning, he was dead. I buried him in my garden. The stress of moving could have hurt him rather than helped him, but I think he deserves more of a "purpose" than being flushed down a toilet and recorded as lost inventory . . . being given a name, Finnegan, and helping some flowers grow. I'm writing a letter to Walmart.

Amanda

Aww..sorry you lost him.
Yeah, many places flush the dead fish, there isn't much else to do with them at stores. And everything much be reported as a damage (my mom's a manager at Wal-Mart ).

Lucy

Aw, you're so kind to bring home such a sick little betta boy.
At least he knew love for at least a short time.

RIP Finnegan

potter

So sorry to hear he didn't make it. Have you thought of getting a refund for your money so that you could save other bettas? You can just bring the body back, get a refund and tell them you want to bury the fish yourself and bring it home for burial. Don't let WM make the profit for the way they treat the fishes.

AquarAdvent

That's true. But I just didn't think to do that. Something about him just really upset me, more so than I thought I would be upset. Just knowing that that was his entire life.

Fishstick

Wow that story really broke my heart. Both my boys are rescues. They were not in as bad of shape as Finnegan. At least he had a few hours of peace, and knew love. At least his last few hours were someplace that he didn't suffer...I wish people wouldn't say 'oh well they are just fish' like some how that makes it okay for them to suffer. They feel pain.

I am so sorry he died

agabr123

i'm so sorry to hear that at least he had a good home with you even if it was for a short time

COBettaCouple

We've done that too with walmarts terrible fish dept. Now the walmarts here have started carrying lots of dyed fish too. Walmart really lives down to their rep and doesn't care since the bad economy helps them out.

aquarist48

Good for you! Sorry to hear about the sad situation and the loss. I've also written WalMart on several occasions. Things get better for a while and then it's back to the same old nasty tanks with so many dead fish. It's so sad.

potter

Thank God the WM near my house has stopped stocking bettas. They usually do not stock bettas as I think they get in to alot of trouble from their customers. The reason I knew was because when I talked to them the other day, they got pretty defensive even before I opened my mouth so I think a lot of other consumers have been voicing out their opinions. Out of the 6 months I have been there, I have only seen betta stocked once and I bought the last 2 so I hope they won't do it too often!

pinkfloydpuffer

I know exactly how you feel.

Amanda

lol, the detectors did not kill the betta.

Martinismommy

I'm sorry you lost your little friend...You did a wonderful thing by bringing him home..

I have had it out with the manager at Walmart more than once....I really hate to see people purchasing their Betta fish there...They are not cared for properly and rarely live more than 1 month (if you are lucky)

TedsTank

thank you for trying...BIG HUGS

sirdarksol

That's not necessarily true. We have had two members who have changed their local Walmart's fish department by writing letters/talking to the managers.
They are by far the minority, but the only way to fail is if you don't try.

Lucy

One would be me. Man, was I happy. I think I danced in that store that day. lol

Phinny12

How sweet of you to help that poor creature.. I am sorry he died but at least he didn't die in the"Cup".
I really wih all Walmarts would stop selling Bettas.

CHoffman

Me too ..I've written a couple of letters and got comments and action on all of them.

AquarAdvent

So, I've sent the letter along with pictures I took of Finnegan while he was alive to show the extent of his extreme illness (from what I've researched, some combination of swimbladder issues, gill inflammation from ammonia, and early dropsy . . . plus probably countless other things) and pictures I took of his filthy WalMart cup. This is an effort to prove I'm not just a "crazy fish person." Anyone can see he was suffering from the pictures. I calmly spelled everything out; I've had success with getting personalized responses with some mention of "we'll inform the store manager" (yes, I included the store's I.D. number) as long as the letter and information is rational, free of animosity, and clear. Hopefully I'll get some word soon.

Leigh

Good for you!!!

If these bettas lived better together think how many we'd all have!!!