Betta Fish Cruelty - Given Away At My University

[adambd]

Betta fish are being given away at my university. 
Please help me to stop this by liking and sharing my post -
https/www.facebook.com/events/637110719662694/permalink/64
0581142648985/

 

[CrazyDiamond88]

Liked your post!
 
How sad!

 

[adambd]

Liked your post!
 
How sad!

thanks for your support

 

[DerpPH]

How can it be cruel? I can give many reasons why it is not.
Well it may be bad in more ways than one. But many more reasons can outweigh the bad reasons
 
1. If it goes to a responsible fishkeeper then no problems. Why? it is ussually the irresponsible ones who reallly dont know how to keep them
 
2. If people will research more on the fish rather than putting them in unfiltered tanks, thats fine,
 
3. If the students Get educated properly about the proper way to take care of bettas its fine.
 
4. You can educate them how to take care of them. Who knows they may become great fishkeepers in the future.
 
Giving fish away isnt cruel. As long as they are in good hands

 

[tunagirll]

In two words? Impulse buying.
 
Those that genuinely want one will go out and buy one. This kind of sale relies on people who aren't that committed, to pick up an easy prepackaged setup that from its description sounded awfully inadequate for proper care. Bettas have enough trouble with abuse without condoning spot sales like this

 

[Stratus]

I see where DerpPH is coming from on how it could inspire a person into becoming a wonderful fish keeper, but at the same time I see your concern as well. I guess it all depends on the situation.
 
For example, our most recent fish (came home about a week ago) was given to my little sister as a birthday party favour. My sister's is now the only surviving fish of the group that was given out, as all the other guests fish died due to improper care, including the birthday girl's. Apparently we were the only ones who put our fish into a filtered tank; all the others left them in small bowls or the bags they came in. Giving out live animals to unsuspecting people is, in my opinion, not the best of ideas. Now, some people may love it and find themselves totally immersed in that new world (dogs, cats, bunnies, fish... you name it!), which would be an absolutely wonderful thing! At the same time, I heard a lot of the birthday guests had parents groaning about having to take care of the fish, so if not everyone is on the same page about caring for an animal, that can lead to problems. I've worked with dog rescues before, and there's been a lot of times where dogs come in because they were a birthday present, the child got bored of it, and the parents didn't want to care for it anymore since their kid didn't care. Then, this poor dog is now homeless because the family was not truly dedicated to caring for an animal. It's very sad to see situations like that occur, whether it's a fish, dog, horse, etc.
 
I had a Betta once, and I was given the talk about how they don't need filters or large tanks. I know better now, but employees will do almost anything to make a sale in that aspect. That's my experience with Bettas at least from the pet stores I've gone to.
 
For the university's situation, I can only go off what's in this post because the Facebook link will not open for me, but since you said they are "being given away", that's not a good thing because impulse buying (or being given one for free) can make someone go, "Ohhh, pretty fish!!" and then forget about it 6 hours later and now feel like it's a chore more than an enjoyment to take care of a lovely Betta.
 
Just my two cents on the issue. Hope things all go well in the end!

 

[FishyBidoof]

Ummm it would be the decision of the ones who want bettas if they will take care of it PROPERLY or just treat it like it easily survives. It would be nicer if they will give away bettas with a fish tank XD but that would be expensive. OR take them all and give them to people who know how to take care of them.