Here's Something For All You Betta Lovers

[danni_69]

Hey guys,

REcently I've been getting really upset about how bettas are being kept in shops and sometimes in peoples homes..

So, I contacted the RSPCA to see if fish were actually covered under any legislation for their protection. They emailed back today, and guess what?!?!?!

"Pet fish are covered under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Under this legislation, all animals (and fish) must be provided with a proper diet, water, shelter, a suitable place to live and have freedom from pain, injury and disease.

We would suggest that if you are concerned about the welfare of fish at a particular establishment you call the RSPCA 24hr Cruelty and Advice line on 0300 1234 999 to provide all the necessary details."

YAY!! so now if anyone has beef with how a shop is keeping bettas or other fish, and feels that action should be taken, then you can now do something about it

Cheers x

 

[love4aquatic]

Great news!

 

[Honeythorn]

Aye but if the RSPCA inspector knows bugger all about fish, or knows only outdated information, how will they be able to ascertain wether the fish in the shop are being kept incorrectly? They could notice a filter in the tank, and a heater too, but if the water hasn't been changed for a week or two how will they know? A store worker can easily put sick looking fish down to new arrivals recovering from transit. And could also say they are being treated with medication blah blah blah. How would the inspector be able to discover wether this is in fact true? Do they carry water test kits?

 

[stang1]

Would they also be willing to find the time to visit shops that have been reported.
You often hear of how under-funded/staffed they are and I should imagine that fish wouldn't be their top priority.
It's a shame that more care isn't given by governing bodies when it comes to fish but maybe that will change one day.

 

[bronzecat]

Ummm, dont get too excited. That law has been in place for 3 years now.

As with reptile shops that come under the same law, the RSPCA either dont follow up complaints or even if they do, the inspector may not have any idea what they are looking for regarding the proper keeping of particular animals. Sad but true i'm afraid.

You would be better off reporting lfs's to the revelant local council agency, as its them who issue the pet shop licenses.

Oh, the RSPCA is not under funded or struggling. I read their annual report last year and basically- Money coming in is UP - prosecutions are down!!!!

 

[modaz]

Okie, what happens is the LFS is reported to the RSCPA, they have guidelines on the general requirements of tropical and coldwater fish. Believe me when I say they know what to look for. We had a visit from our council a while ago due to a spiteful customer who almost got arrested in out shop the week before for being abusive, nothing to do with the care of our fish. The RSPCA will contact the local council evironmental health dept, this dept will send out the person who assigns the general pet licenses to do a spot check on the shop and evaluate the care of the fish or animals. When it comes to fish, they must be heated, if tropical, must have light, access to water, (yeah i know, how could you have a LFS with no access to water) access to food, medication, quarantine proceedures and a few other things that legally have to be in place. If the LFS is so bad then the council will contact the RSPCA who will also visit and give them a set period of time to act on the things that are wrong in the shop.
Saying that the fish are new in and getting over the quarantine wont wash with the licensing board, you must have signs on the tanks stating that they are either off sale or in quarantine, so if this is not in place they are either lying or breaking their license rulings. The E.Officer will look around the shop, a dirty tank is so obvious and the smell of the shop is a good give away as to how clean the water is. Remember that they know the smell of a clean shop. They look at the floors too, as a LFS with dirty floors (not just grubby) but pure filth will be hiding some awful truths if the officer looks deeper into the tanks. You'll be surprised what power these people have when it comes to LFS. Dont just think that nothing will be done but in most cases they are not obliged by law to tell you the outcome of the visit to the shop, so you may never know but I assure you they will visit them. They also hate CUPS in some areas, a fish must have filtration regardless in their eyes.

 

[danni_69]

It's good to know that there are rules for fish out there too

 

[Glegorly]

I rang the RSPCA before, they said less than half an hour, gave them my address and phone number. They never showed up, never heard from them as well. In the end (2 hour wait) I sorted the situation out myself.

Was a bit dissapointed.