Should I, or Shouldn't I

[RandomWiktor]

Thanks for all the tips on getting free fish guys Way to give the stores a good sturdy kick in the arse. But, alas - I talked to both my mom and dad and they are very insistant on "no more fish." Reason? They want to save the space because my mom is thinking of getting a parakeet.....

......

..........

OK. Is it me, or does a parakeet cage not only not go where a fish tank does, but are parakeets not WAY more expensive to care for?

That pisses me off severely.

I brought that up and their back-up reason is that "well, we won't have room for it because you bought that 30 gallon." Ok... the peice of furniture it was on had nothing on it previously, and we *just* had this same amount of tanks; up until last week when sealink died. So, in other words, they're just kindof being thicked headed and won't let me get the fish for no reason. We're going to have the extra tank set up anyways because the snail will be in it.

I don't really understand this; I take very good care of all of the animals. Granted, while I am in college, the mammals and birds are in my parents' care, which they agreed to. The fish all come with me to school. And whenever I am home, I care for ALL of the pets, even if it takes me all blooming day.
I'm pretty convinced at this point that they just don't want the clutter of the betta tanks (even though all of this "clutter" occurs in my room, a place where no one else steps foot).

Eh. Oh well. I don't have the right to complain because they're paying to put me through two years of vet tech school, but this is still kinda dissapointing. I guess it wasn't meant to be.

So instead, I'm calling the manager and bitching him out. Then, I'm driving up there, seeing if the conditions are as nasty as they were yesterday, and I'm bitching him out again. I shall then make it my point to leaflett after lab tomorrow.

 

[BettaMomma]

Aaah parents, don't you love them?
I'd still like to contribute to your hospice either way.
If you can send me your address and a list of things like what type of tanks you have (so I could get you replacement filters), what type of dechlor you use, etc. If you need any plants or any fun new things for any of your kiddos, lemme know.

If you do wind up getting him somehow, then you'll have these things either way then, too.

 

[RandomWiktor]

Frankly, my hospice is in stasis right now since I can't really take in any more fish unless I can guarentee that they have no hope of survival whatsoever (these being truly "hospice" rather than, say, "hospital."). These fish have really no expenses; they just go into one of my 5 hospice tanks to be kept warm and quiet and to be offered food until they pass on. Currently, with projects and finals, I most likely won't even be doing this as I want to make sure I have the time to do it right and still care for the healthy.

Thus, though I really appreciate it, I will politely decline for the time being I don't have any sort of official non-profit status, so I'd feel badly taking money or supplies, esp. since it would be going towards my own animals at this point.

I think something wonderful you could do for bettas since you can't particularly take in more right now would be to use some of your money you had planned to donate here and print up care sheets for bettas. You could either see if local stores would allow you to give them out, or, if they so no, leaflett outside the store. It would spread the word about the plight of bettas, and would also give potential owners some "heads up" tips on how to properly care for them.

I'm so glad there are people like you out there so fiercely devoted to bettas; when I have my own place and job, I want to expand my hospice further, without being a burden to my family. You are quite the inspiration, and I think you for everything you do for the fishies, and for your kind offer ^^

 

[Haiku]

This is a very heartwrenching situation for you, and I certainly understand all of your feelings about each aspect of it. I had wondered before if it would be possible to convince the store to give you a sick fish free. I'd really hate to pay the store and reward them for the deplorable conditions they keep the fish in, yet my heart breaks too when I see them suffering.

As far as the bird, I'll give a bit of insight since I have a bird . They are initially a higher investment, but my cockatiel's upkeep I would actually say is cheaper than my fish. If she were to get sick or injured and needed a vet visit, that could of course change. I spend probably less than $10 a month for her food, I haven't really gauged how long a bag lasts her, plus I give her bits of fruits, veggies, and grains from food we have on hand. Birds, however, do take plenty of commitment in order to care for them the way they should be. All of the parrot type birds are social and need interaction and attention the same as a dog or cat would if it is by itself. They can be quite messy and loud too. I hope they know what they are getting into if they get a bird. Parakeets can easily live 15 years or so.

 

[BettaMomma]

I hereby put my offer into "on hold" status.
Whenever you need anything to help sickies, you know where I will be.

 

[RandomWiktor]

As far as the bird, I'll give a bit of insight since I have a bird . They are initially a higher investment, but my cockatiel's upkeep I would actually say is cheaper than my fish. If she were to get sick or injured and needed a vet visit, that could of course change. I spend probably less than $10 a month for her food, I haven't really gauged how long a bag lasts her, plus I give her bits of fruits, veggies, and grains from food we have on hand. Birds, however, do take plenty of commitment in order to care for them the way they should be. All of the parrot type birds are social and need interaction and attention the same as a dog or cat would if it is by itself. They can be quite messy and loud too. I hope they know what they are getting into if they get a bird. Parakeets can easily live 15 years or so.

Oh, we know (I'm the happy companion of three keets, a finch, a conure, and an amazon... and a hen). I'm really glad to hear someone reccomending being responsible about having a bird; most people I know think you can just buy 'em, throw 'em in a cage, and have them look pretty. No one seems to understand what a responsibility it is. My mom just wants one because she complains that none of our pets are "hers" and she wants one of her own. I told her she could have the algae eater (haha), but she's had birds her whole life so a parakeet appealed to her a little more. The three we have were rescues and are rather untame, so we just let them enjoy an aviary together, but she wants a young one to tame up so it can come out of the cage and such. I guess I can't blame her... though if she does get one and wants a young one (meaning a rescue probably isn't going to happen) I am absolutely forcing her to go to a good breeder; I'm sick of all of the pet stores selling animals so intelligent and sensitive to any old jackhole who can throw 15 bucks at them. Plus, all of the "parakeet cages" these stores market make me sick; they aren't fit for a finch; we're so not supporting a store that reccomends that cage size just to make an easier sale.

I hereby put my offer into "on hold" status.
Whenever you need anything to help sickies, you know where I will be.

Thanks BettaMomma; you rock ^^

 

[Haiku]

Oh! Sounds like you do indeed already know about birdie parenthood . I wasn't sure if it was a snap decision thing on the part of your parents. Like you said, lots of people think you just buy a bird, throw it in a cage and throw some seed and water in (a pure seed diet is not very healthy). My girl Dawn is on pellets plus fresh supplements. I agree with you on the "acceptable" cage sizes too. It's sort of like "acceptable" betta bowls. I guess the "pet industry" is all in it for the bucks and not for healthy and happy pets.

Here is my girl's cage. The door is open at least a few hours every day, her favorite spot is on my shoulder or the back of my chair while I work

Ok, sorry for the off topic thread hijack! You sound like you are on the way to becoming a wonderful animal advocate. It really warms my heart.