Fish "rescues"

This is a tough issue, I feel a couple different ways about it because I can see the good and the bad in a lot of peoples views on the subject!

I agree that its not really a rescue if you buy the betta, there's no way around the fact that paying for the fish is giving the store money which is saying to them "Hey! It doesn't matter how badly we take care of our fish because people will still pay for them!" And that's not a message that you really want to give out, I consider paying for a "rescue" a sympathy purchase.

But I also agree that no matter how you end up with the fish: Buy it, demand it for free, steal it (Bad idea, don't do it!!) you're still making room for another fish to take its place.

Most stores, at least the big ones like walmart, petco, petsmart ect. don't lose money on dead fish, they take a tally a couple times a day of the fish that have died and at the end of every week they send it to the supplier who reimburses them for the dead fish.

So what should a person do? Well getting the fish for free sends a message, not all stores will give you a betta, even a dying one, for free, but some will if they don't think it will survive any way, and that they do lose money on.

But I feel the best thing to do is try and get them to change their ways, don't take all the fish away, find a way to get the fish better taken care of in the store, its not easy, trust me but it is possible!!

I absolutely agree take better care of fish and every other animal for that matter.
Walmart doesn't sell fish in my area but I have the other big boxes. I hardly think they are going to miss my 2.79 sale- they charge a ton for aquariums, food, decor, etc...
I'm lucky to have a few good LFS's in my area but for those who don't- are people really going to pay 35-40 dollars to ship 10 bucks worth of fish.
This whole debate is multI faceted really when you look at from an animal loving point of view.

 

I'm lucky to have a few good LFS's in my area but for those who don't- are people really going to pay 35-40 dollars to ship 10 bucks worth of fish.
This whole debate is multI faceted really when you look at from an animal loving point of view.

Those who are willing to spend the money (and who have the money to spend) do not see it as 10 bucks worth of fish - they see it as a life, and the propagation of a better future for other lives.

 

More emphasis is placed on furry creatures than cold blooded animals and it's interesting to me.

Most people pay attention to the fury ones,IMO. And more people will donate some money to places that try to help the fury ones.But people need to get out there to educate people on properly breeding,and sterilizing pets.This would be a big step in the right direction,rather than trying to find homes for animals that should probably not have been born in the first place. If there were more people trying to help with the population control,and if people would not impulse buy animals,shelters would not be as overpopulated as they are.

As far as the cold blooded ones go, I believe there are people trying to help them live better lives. But not nearly the numbers that are trying to help the fury ones. It's too bad.

But are they really in danger in no kill shelters? No not really- so I guess adopting an animal from a no kill shelter is a purchase as well just to keep in fair.

No kill shelters are not always a good place for animals either. They may not be euthanized, but have you ever been to one? I have seen dogs that are kept in kennels,that do nothing but pace back and forth. They may be alive, but it is not always a good life. So where is the line? We need to educate people on how to properly keep all domestic pets. Until this happens, a lot of animals are going to suffer.

 

I think part of the problem is also that people don't see fish as "pets," they consider them decorations (even the SPCA and such regard them as such). So, in their view, how can you mistreat a decoration and why would a decoration need to be "rescued"?

 

I think part of the problem is also that people don't see fish as "pets," they consider them decorations (even the SPCA and such regard them as such). So, in their view, how can you mistreat a decoration and why would a decoration need to be "rescued"?

Excellent point.

 

However, I think we should call a spade a spade. It's not a rescue, it's a purchase. End of story.

I've been holding my tongue about this for a while now.....glad someone else said it

 

Most people pay attention to the fury ones,IMO. And more people will donate some money to places that try to help the fury ones.But people need to get out there to educate people on properly breeding,and sterilizing pets.This would be a big step in the right direction,rather than trying to find homes for animals that should probably not have been born in the first place. If there were more people trying to help with the population control,and if people would not impulse buy animals,shelters would not be as overpopulated as they are.

As far as the cold blooded ones go, I believe there are people trying to help them live better lives. But not nearly the numbers that are trying to help the fury ones. It's too bad.

No kill shelters are not always a good place for animals either. They may not be euthanized, but have you ever been to one? I have seen dogs that are kept in kennels,that do nothing but pace back and forth. They may be alive, but it is not always a good life. So where is the line? We need to educate people on how to properly keep all domestic pets. Until this happens, a lot of animals are going to suffer.

Yes I got my dog from one and apparently a very good one since they came to my house and all that before I shelled out the cash. They are alive right with no threat of being killed? So I purchased my dog if I go by what people are saying here.

Also- what's the difference- a dog pacing back and forth or a fish in a teeny cup? Same thing...

Unfortunately these "purchased fish" are not in the same predicament.
I just want people to dig a little deeper to draw the parallel here is all.

You either love animals or you don't and you favor certain ones. So with no heart in animal care and decency- why keep any animal?

I'm not trying to be rude...just trying to get a point across so please understand- it's a good debate you started even though FL is against me and my beliefs on the matter.

Diva- your absolutely right and it's sad. Fish are living unlike my driftwood.

 

lol...you're welcome, Jaysee.

Danni, the difference is not the conditions of the animals, it's the SOURCE of the animals.

Rescues, shelters, etc. do not make ANY money off their rescues (in fact, the majority of them LOSE money on their rescues). That $250 you paid for your dog went to its spay/neuter, shots, microchipping, vet care, etc.

Pet stores and fish stores purchase stock from breeders and suppliers and sell the animals for profit. The animals are then replaced by new ones which are sold again for a profit.

In the eyes of the majority of people, there is a HUGE difference between pet store purchases and adopting an animal through a rescue or shelter. Purchasing a dog, cat, fish, bird, ferret or any other animal from a pet store encourages them to keep selling those animals and making a profit. Adopting a dog, cat, bird, ferret or whatever from a rescue or shelter makes room for those people to help another animal in need.

I really feel like you're trying to compare apples to oranges and are coming up with pears.

 

I've been holding my tongue about this for a while now.....glad someone else said it

Whatever...so is my shelter dog.

 

I'm not trying to be rude...just trying to get a point across so please understand- it's a good debate you started even though FL is against me and my beliefs on the matter?

You seem to be taking this very personally. Fishlore is not against you. Neither are any members of Fishlore.

Some people disagree with you. Others feel that the issue isn't as simple as "buying a betta from big chain store is rescuing it and it's a good thing to do." Disagreement on such things doesn't mean anyone is against you, it means they disagree with you.

 

You seem to be taking this very personally. Fishlore is not against you. Neither are any members of Fishlore.

Some people disagree with you. Others feel that the issue isn't as simple as "buying a betta from big chain store is rescuing it and it's a good thing to do." Disagreement on such things doesn't mean anyone is against you, it means they disagree with you.

It actually is as simple though- you either care or your don't. A fish dying in a cup is a rescue whether you pay for it or can talk it out of the store for free. It really is simple. Maybe I care too much... I don't know.

 

It actually is as simple though- you either care or your don't. A fish dying in a cup is a rescue whether you pay for it or can talk it out of the store for free. It really is simple. Maybe I care too much... I don't know.

I think you might be over-thinking it, TBH. And it doesn't boil down to the fact that either you care or you don't. That is very judgmental. I care about the way bettas are treated in stores, but I still consider buying a fish (ANY FISH) from a pet store a purchase, whether or not they are kept in horrible conditions or in proper conditions. Why? Read my response to you in post #48.

 

It actually is as simple though- you either care or your don't. A fish dying in a cup is a rescue whether you pay for it or can talk it out of the store for free. It really is simple. Maybe I care too much... I don't know.

I think the main argument here is that in order to make these profit pet stores reconsider their treatment of bettas we have to stop buying them and give them a reason to rethink their methods.

Do you kill an entire army to save one soldier? That's the mentality you have been proposing in this thread.

Yes, that one betta that was bought was saved, but the two put in its place may not receive the same fate.

 

You either love animals or you don't and you favor certain ones. So with no heart in animal care and decency- why keep any animal?

Do you mean that by favoring certain animals, you don't love all animals?

There are very few things in life with only 2 possible positions.

I have judged myself to be among those who are the least attached to their fish. I don't view them as pets - I see them as living art. That doesn't mean that I don't love them, or that I don't care about their living conditions.

I keep fish for display. They are there for viewing enjoyment. Of course they are more enjoyable when they are better taken care of, and that is my motivation for doing so. I admit that it's selfish, but it's a win-win situation so I sleep well at night.

 

Then how do no kill shelters pay the bills? They have costs...
I'm really going on love for animals whatever they may be- cold or warm blooded.

My statement wasn't judgmental at all- it's a bottom line. Can you walk away from a dying animal if you have the means and room to keep it? If you take a dying fish- it's a rescue.

Obviously- I won't win this argument and I'm good with that. I'll just go along with the masses and go ok yeah it's a purchase. Ugh...

It's weird to me that it's ok that they are in a cup and in no need of rescue since it's a purchase but when you buy them- you should have at least a 5 gallon tank- where is the care when they are in the cups dying? Obviously- yes small tanks are harder. But if it's ok to leave them in a cup then why are we touting bigger tanks and a better life- if we just ignore the cups and hope one day they are discontinued out of big box stores.

Ok you all win it's a purchase...

 

I'm not trying to be rude...just trying to get a point across so please understand- it's a good debate you started even though FL is against me and my beliefs on the matter.

You are not being rude at all. I see your point, and I do understand.I am not against you at all. You have some great points through out this thread. I agree with your analogy of the pacing dog and the betta in a cup. They are both wrong.

I believe I said in the opening post that I think people should let the white collar workers of the big box stores know how you feel about some of the poor conditions the fish are kept in.

I think the same should be said to all people who think breeding animals,any animal, just to experience having puppies or kittens,or whatever, is wrong. There is a shelter near my house that puts on average 200 dogs a day to sleep. 200 DOGS A DAY.

I work with a guy whose daughter breed her pure bred Schnauzer because she wanted her daughter to have some puppies,and "experience" it. She had a litter of 9. She took 5 of them to this shelter,because she could not sell them. They were 7 weeks old.

He then went on to tell me his other daughters dog had gotten pregnant because she had gotten out of the yard,and had never been spayed. They have no idea what breed the male is. The male dog was obviously not properly housed,or neutered. This is one example from one family. My co-worker is in his 50's. His daughters are in there 30's and I really don't think they think there is anything wrong with what they have done.

Education is the key to properly keeping pets. I believe there is nothing wrong in keeping animals. But, not everyone thinks that way. There are also some who think animals are disposable. There will probably always going to be people like that.

This thread could go on forever,and has gotten off topic at times,but there are very good points through out it.

Great input.

 

Do you mean that by favoring certain animals, you don't love all animals?

There are very few things in life with only 2 possible positions.

I have judged myself to be among those who are the least attached to their fish. I don't view them as pets - I see them as living art. That doesn't mean that I don't love them, or that I don't care about their living conditions.

I keep fish for display. They are there for viewing enjoyment. Of course they are more enjoyable when they are better taken care of, and that is my motivation for doing so. I admit that it's selfish, but it's a win-win situation so I sleep well at night.

Polar opposite of me...I don't believe this at all as an animal person. But to each their own. I'm one of those wimps who cries if a fish dies...

 

You are not being rude at all. I see your point, and I do understand.I am not against you at all. You have some great points through out this thread. I agree with your analogy of the pacing dog and the betta in a cup. They are both wrong.

I believe I said in the opening post that I think people should let the white collar workers of the big box stores know how you feel about some of the poor conditions the fish are kept in.

I think the same should be said to all people who think breeding animals,any animal, just to experience having puppies or kittens,or whatever, is wrong. There is a shelter near my house that puts on average 200 dogs a day to sleep. 200 DOGS A DAY.

I work with a guy whose daughter breed her pure bred Schnauzer because she wanted her daughter to have some puppies,and "experience" it. She had a litter of 9. She took 5 of them to this shelter,because she could not sell them. They were 7 weeks old.

He then went on to tell me his other daughters dog had gotten pregnant because she had gotten out of the yard,and had never been spayed. They have no idea what breed the male is. The male dog was obviously not properly housed,or neutered. This is one example from one family. My co-worker is in his 50's. His daughters are in there 30's and I really don't think they think there is anything wrong with what they have done.

Education is the key to properly keeping pets. I believe there is nothing wrong in keeping animals. But, not everyone thinks that way. There are also some who think animals are disposable. There will probably always going to be people like that.

This thread could go on forever,and has gotten off topic at times,but there are very good points through out it.

Great input.

It has but I'm passionate- apologize if I offended.

200 dogs a day really? That's really not right. Where the heck is it? Near me anywhere?

 

Polar opposite of me...I don't believe this at all as an animal person. But to each their own. I'm one of those wimps who cries if a fish dies...

Then you don't want to know what my day job is.....

But see, here's the thing, and I don't expect you to understand. I considder myself to be an animal person. I love them, and they love me. Except for cats. I hate cats, but they still love me.....wish they wouldn't

 

It has but I'm passionate- apologize if I offended.

200 dogs a day really? That's really not right. Where the heck is it? Near me anywhere?

Not offended by any means.

And if you are in Illinois,yes it is close to you. And it is in what would be considered a small city by most. I use to volunteer at it. I still would,but my schedule does not allow it right now.

 

I'm not reading this whole thread because I'll just get annoyed, but it is a pet peeve of mine to call it a rescue to purchase a fish from a pet store.

 

I'm not reading this whole thread because I'll just get annoyed, but it is a pet peeve of mine to call it a rescue to purchase a fish from a pet store.

hahahaha

 

Then how do no kill shelters pay the bills? They have costs...

Obviously- I won't win this argument and I'm good with that. I'll just go along with the masses and go ok yeah it's a purchase. Ugh...

No kill shelters (and shelters/rescues in general) pay the bills through donations. Haven't you ever noticed that pretty much all the employees at shelters are volunteers? Haven't you noticed that they are constantly asking for donations for food, bedding, etc? If they were making money off adoptions (like pet stores make off the sale of their animals), why would they be asking for donations and using nothing but volunteers? Have you priced out the cost of an average spay/neuter, shots and microchipping at a vet's office? I worked for a vet for 2.5 years and I can tell you that it costs around $400 to have all those done (and I live in a small town where things are generally cheaper).

As for your statement about going along with the masses...I honestly found that last "ugh" totally uncalled for. I am an animal lover. I have only ever bought ONE animal that was not a rescue or pound puppy or taken in from someone who could not care for it...and that one animal was a dalmatian puppy I got when I was 11, but we looked at rescues first before going to a breeder. I am fighting right now to keep a horse that was in a horrible situation before we (my friend and I) took him in (and yes, I'm talking about the gelding that I might be losing back to his awful former owners). Even given all of that, I still consider buying fish from a pet store a purchase. If that makes me a horrible person, so be it.

 

We have a history in my family of stealing peoples mistreated dogs. THAT'S rescuing an animal.

 

We have a history in my family of stealing peoples mistreated dogs. THAT'S rescuing an animal.

No, that is breaking the law.

Keep it civil guys, and legal. Or the thread will get closed.

 

Can it be both?

 

It REALLY feels like rescuing when you hop a fence and untie a dog that's been chained to a tree, without food or water, sitting in it's own feces and take it home.

 

Robin Hood probably felt good, too, but he was still stealing.

I'm just giving you a hard time.

 

It REALLY feels like rescuing when you hop a fence and untie a dog that's been chained to a tree, without food or water, sitting in it's own feces and take it home.

It is still REALLY against the law. Call the humane society where you live and let them take the proper,legal actions against the owner. A fine, though unlikely for first time offenders unfortunately,and the hassle of going to court, is more likely to deter them from getting another dog. If they go out and see their dog is gone, I would think they will just go out and get another. Kind of like buying the betta from the big box stores. They just get more.

 

It's weird to me that it's ok that they are in a cup and in no need of rescue since it's a purchase but when you buy them- you should have at least a 5 gallon tank- where is the care when they are in the cups dying? Obviously- yes small tanks are harder. But if it's ok to leave them in a cup then why are we touting bigger tanks and a better life- if we just ignore the cups and hope one day they are discontinued out of big box stores.

The only way to get the big box stores to get bigger tanks/better treatment is to stop giving them business i.e. purchasing their fish.

 

It is still REALLY against the law. Call the humane society where you live and let them take the proper,legal actions against the owner. A fine, though unlikely for first time offenders unfortunately,and the hassle of going to court, is more likely to deter them from getting another dog. If they go out and see their dog is gone, I would think they will just go out and get another. Kind of like buying the betta from the big box stores. They just get more.

They did not get another dog - I passed the house every day. They didn't even put flyers up.

This other time, when I was young, we were dogsitting for the neighbor. When he returned and came over to pick up his dog, my parents refused to give him back. The dog was in very bad shape, and they told him the dog was now ours. He complained and came back a couple of times then that was it. No cops, no nothing. The guy was glad to be rid of the dog, though he never admitted it. And he didn't get another.

But I agree, some people will just replace the pet.

 

Okay. This one thing is driving me bonkers, and I need to put it out there - feel free to skip over all of this. Back story:

I have always been passionate about animals - since as long as I can remember. I cry when I run over a frog during the rainy months. I can't watch most of those shows on Animal Planet because they make my stomach hurt. (My husband swerves to avoid dragonflies on the road. Yeah - we're those people... the ones you really don't want on the road with you. Sorry about that. :giggle I am a vegetarian. I do not wear meat. We our ASPCA guardians and just moved to a new home so we could become cat and kitten foster sponsors. I've written hundreds of emails to more than twenty different lps who I felt were mistreating their charges. I've called the SPCA on owners who didn't take proper care of their dogs or horses on summer days. I have cared for everything from pygmy goats and quarter horses to guimpy pigs and beardies. I do my utmost to live a cruelty-free lifestyle even if it means making myself uncomfortable; I also commit to genuine activism on behalf of abused animals. Once again, I am an animal lover in a way that most people do not understand or care to explore.



It is because of my passionate refusal to contribute to animal cruelty that I will not support a store that allows the mistreatment of living creatures. As much as it hurts to leave that fish/cat/dog/bird/life behind without knowing what will become of it, I know that to bring that life home would mean to continue to doom others and to refuse to hope or work toward change.



No step in the right direction is trivial.



I just want to make it clear that sincere animal lovers can exist on both sides of the issue, even if we do not see eye-to-eye about how to solve the problem. It just bothers me that there is the implication that one side would care less about animals because of the way they have come to understand how to best promote a cruelty-free society.

And just to throw it out there, as I stated with my example on the first page, I do believe that there is such thing as a true rescue with the exchange of money. But my example is one of the few cases where I can see a purchase actually being a rescue.

And +1 bassbonediva about the severely problematic comparison of shelters to mill-sourced lps.

Because the question was raised concerning how shelters afford their costs.... Becoming a local shelter sponsor or becoming an ASPCA guardian like my husband and I is how shelters help mitigate the cost of rescuing animals. As little as $15 a month helps saves lives and supports funding for anti-cruelty raids and campaigns. Plus, the ASPCA sends you a cute calendar every year. Become a guardian today!

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd I'm out of the thread.

 

I feel the tiniest bit uncomfortable now...
I guess I'm not buying any bettas in tiny cups or containers again...
I see both sides of this topic now

 

@ Diva- I never said you were horrible for purchasing a Betta from a cup at all. That's not what I'm saying. I did see the horse thread and responded- that was a great story about how you have worked with her and I hope that you do what your heart is telling you. She is absolutely beautiful.
I'm just trying to draw the comparison between a rescue and a purchase.
I never meant to offend. By the way- my shelter is some volunteers but there are a few who are there constantly as if it's a full time job which I believe for them it is. The ASPCA charges 60 dollars for a pet- shot's, spay and neuter- 250 was a little excessive but I loved the dog. They also admit that many vets they use donate services. My particular dog came in neutered and chipped from what I was told. I can understand a donation but sometimes it's overboard.


@Roscoe- would you be willing to PM me that shelter info? I have a feeling I know which one it is.

@ Jaycee Please don't tell me you work for Maybelline in the cosmetic research dept. Other than that- I'm thinking it may not be too bad.

@Ilove- I totally agree with what you said. It sounds like me.

 

Yes I got my dog from one and apparently a very good one since they came to my house and all that before I shelled out the cash. They are alive right with no threat of being killed? So I purchased my dog if I go by what people are saying here.

Also- what's the difference- a dog pacing back and forth or a fish in a teeny cup? Same thing...

Unfortunately these "purchased fish" are not in the same predicament.
I just want people to dig a little deeper to draw the parallel here is all.

You either love animals or you don't and you favor certain ones. So with no heart in animal care and decency- why keep any animal?

I'm not trying to be rude...just trying to get a point across so please understand- it's a good debate you started even though FL is against me and my beliefs on the matter.

Diva- your absolutely right and it's sad. Fish are living unlike my driftwood.

If Fishlore is against you, they're against me, too The bettas in our house choose us. Sometimes, they're from an LFS, sometimes they're from a breeder.

When they're from an LFS, I'm perpetuating the horrible cycle, sorry, but if a betta chooses us, it's meant to be. I strongly believe in fate and don't feel I have the right to question it. I don't label it a rescue, but in my heart, I'm rescuing the fish from a bad situation.

You're making some very interesting and valid points.

When I'm working full time, I'm one of the people who will pay $45 to ship a $25 fish. Usually, I make it worth my while and get several, but in regards to bettas, I usually only have room for one at a time.

Polar opposite of me...I don't believe this at all as an animal person. But to each their own. I'm one of those wimps who cries if a fish dies...

Pssttt....I'm also one of those wimps who cries when a fish dies.

I feel the tiniest bit uncomfortable now...
I guess I'm not buying any bettas in tiny cups or containers again...
I see both sides of this topic now

My best advice would be to follow your heart. And always remember, there are two sides of this topic and you need to do what is best for you.

All of us need to remember to respect everyone's opinions even if they're not our own. Debating is fine, but let's keep it respectful. All of us have the right to make our own educated opinions on this.

 

If Fishlore is against you, they're against me, too The bettas in our house choose us. Sometimes, they're from an LFS, sometimes they're from a breeder.

When they're from an LFS, I'm perpetuating the horrible cycle, sorry, but if a betta chooses us, it's meant to be. I strongly believe in fate and don't feel I have the right to question it. I don't label it a rescue, but in my heart, I'm rescuing the fish from a bad situation.

You're making some very interesting and valid points.

When I'm working full time, I'm one of the people who will pay $45 to ship a $25 fish. Usually, I make it worth my while and get several, but in regards to bettas, I usually only have room for one at a time.



Pssttt....I'm also one of those wimps who cries when a fish dies.



My best advice would be to follow your heart. And always remember, there are two sides of this topic and you need to do what is best for you.

All of us need to remember to respect everyone's opinions even if they're not our own. Debating is fine, but let's keep it respectful. All of us have the right to make our own educated opinions on this.

The voice of reason... This is a good post.

 

My best advice would be to follow your heart. And always remember, there are two sides of this topic and you need to do what is best for you.

All of us need to remember to respect everyone's opinions even if they're not our own. Debating is fine, but let's keep it respectful. All of us have the right to make our own educated opinions on this.

Dead on BB, It is all in the eyes of the beholder.

 

It actually is as simple though- you either care or your don't. A fish dying in a cup is a rescue whether you pay for it or can talk it out of the store for free. It really is simple. Maybe I care too much... I don't know.

Calling it that simple doesn't make it so. I really wish it did. It would change so many things in the world, make them so much easier.

Again, I understand, and don't even disagree with, the wish to get those poor fish out of the conditions they are in, but to ignore the fact that by buying them we are encouraging that store to stock even more, to put more fish in that same condition, is to be wearing blinders.
Yes, getting one fish out of that cup is a good thing, but putting another fish in the cup is a bad thing. And that's what has been done any time we buy a fish from a store that sells these bettas. In the end, a good thing has been done, and a not-so-good thing has been done.

You've made several comments that suggest that, because I (or others like me) walk away from those bettas, I don't care about animals. I disagree strongly. When I see those bettas, I also see the bettas that I will be condemning to an identical life (actually, probably worse, as most of the bettas bought at these stores are bought by someone who will put them in a cute little vase) if I buy one.
It's not that I don't feel anything for the little guys that are there. Far from it. But it has been my decision that I will not support that industry. I have written both Petsmart and Petco about this. In fact, I stopped shopping at Petco altogether, due to their "bettas live in mud puddles" propaganda. I wrote them letters. I encouraged others here to do so. The propaganda is gone, now. I may only be a small part of the reason for that, but that's proof that we're not just one consumer; we're many consumers, and thus, we have power over the stores.

 

danni, no, I don't work for a cosmetic company. I had said that in response to the "cry when fish die" comment - I work on a fishing boat. I'm quite sure that more fish have died my my hands than anyone here will keep in their lifetime....except maybe BB

and that's a huge part of why I keep fish...I want to celebrate them living, and not just them dying.

 

Calling it that simple doesn't make it so. I really wish it did. It would change so many things in the world, make them so much easier.

Again, I understand, and don't even disagree with, the wish to get those poor fish out of the conditions they are in, but to ignore the fact that by buying them we are encouraging that store to stock even more, to put more fish in that same condition, is to be wearing blinders.
Yes, getting one fish out of that cup is a good thing, but putting another fish in the cup is a bad thing. And that's what has been done any time we buy a fish from a store that sells these bettas. In the end, a good thing has been done, and a not-so-good thing has been done.

You've made several comments that suggest that, because I (or others like me) walk away from those bettas, I don't care about animals. I disagree strongly. When I see those bettas, I also see the bettas that I will be condemning to an identical life (actually, probably worse, as most of the bettas bought at these stores are bought by someone who will put them in a cute little vase) if I buy one.
It's not that I don't feel anything for the little guys that are there. Far from it. But it has been my decision that I will not support that industry. I have written both Petsmart and Petco about this. In fact, I stopped shopping at Petco altogether, due to their "bettas live in mud puddles" propaganda. I wrote them letters. I encouraged others here to do so. The propaganda is gone, now. I may only be a small part of the reason for that, but that's proof that we're not just one consumer; we're many consumers, and thus, we have power over the stores.

But Sir you wouldn't put them in the vase would you? You are more experienced than that and would know much much better.
I'm glad you wrote and wouldn't buy from there. I try but there are times when your in a pinch and can't buy online or from your decent LFS- the hard to find items.
I get what you are saying though and really they shouldn't be selling any fish at all at those big boxes...i.e. Pacu in a 30g.

@Jaycee- Whew! I have issues with cosmetics companies. I think you are fishing for food which sustains life. While I don't eat fish, many people do and like it and live off of it. My dad was a fisherman- all we ate is fish growing up.

I know how you care about your fish and as you describe them as living art- great analogy.