Is There An Rspca For Lfss?

[silverchild23]

I know this sounds harsh, but is there a charity or a powerful group/constabulary that deals with cruelty to fish in fish/pet shops?

It's just me and my girlfriend went into a garden centre the other day, and decided to have a look at their aquarium section. What we saw appalled us. It really did. In 50% of the tanks nearly half the fish were lying dead in the tanks with the rest looking miserable and pauly themselves. It was horrific. There were two (i presume once beautiful) large discus kept in a tiny tank with nothing in there that were both gasping for air practically on their sides, sticking next to each other for a final comfort. They had a batch of cockatoos that all had their fins clamped, swimming in a strange fashion along the floor, all moth-eaten and some diseased. There were two Oscars kept in a similar fashion to the discus. These oscars were practically 9" large and were in this TINY tank (I mean, it couldn't have been more than 12" x 6" x 6". They looked so unhappy and stationary. To top it off they had a larger tank full of different kinds of tetra that ALL showed symptoms of disease with shrunken inverted bellies and lack of colour (couldn've been tuberculosis I dont know). In fact I dont think there was one tank that was cleaned properly, filtered properly, appropriately sized, or shown any kind of correct care and attention.

The whole place was an absolute disgrace and so upsetting. They simply should not be allowed to function as a fish shop. It's so wrong! Is there anything the lowly customer can do to stop places like these? Is there an RPSCA-esque company who deals with things like this?

Sorry to rave on but it just really gets to you.

Thanks

 

[modaz]

the RSPCA that deals with general animal issues will do lfs issues as well, go to their website and cll the number that is stated under 24 hour services

 

[Miss Wiggle]

in theory the RSPCA should act for you, however in the past they have seemed reluctant to act from what i've been told. i would go back and take lots of photo's of the conditions and sick animals, if you present the rspca with some evidence you will be more likely to get a response from them.

also try writing to the manager of the garden centre, chances are he's pretty removed from the fish section and might not even realise the problems, bringing it to his attention could solve the problems as they may then address the issues.

 

[silverchild23]

Sounds Like a Plan

I'll give it a go. I thought maybe the RSPCA has 'bigger' issues to deal with. I'll definitely write to the manager of the centre, and see if I can't go there again and take some photos if I need to take it further.

 

[Maximus]

Let us know how it turns out

 

[The-Wolf]

you could also get the local council to look into the shop.
it is the council that issue a pet shop licence and it is them that can revoke the licence
effectivly shutting the shop down.

The Pet Animals Act 1951

The Pet Animals Act 1951 (as amended in 1983) protects the welfare of animals sold as pets. The Act requires any person keeping a pet shop to be licensed by the local authority. Before granting a licence the local authority must be satisfied that the animals are kept in accommodation that is both suitable and clean; that they are supplied with appropriate food and drink; and are adequately protected from disease and fire. The local authority may attach any conditions to the licence, may inspect the licensed premises at all reasonable times and may refuse a licence if the conditions at the premises are unsatisfactory or if the terms of the licence are not being complied with.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the law in this area and anyone who has reason to believe that a pet shop is keeping animals in inadequate conditions should raise the matter with the local authority who will decide what action to take within the range of its powers.

 

[ghostchoir]

Just out of interest, where was this? You can PM me if you don't want to shame the shop outright. It just seems very much like a situation I saw recently and as you're also in Kent I'm curious as to whether it's the same.

 

[Birdie]

you could also get the local council to look into the shop.
it is the council that issue a pet shop licence and it is them that can revoke the licence
effectivly shutting the shop down.

This is what I was going to say too. Although it may also be worth informing the RSPCA too - because although I don't imagine the RSPCA can actually revoke licence themselves, they may have more clout with the council than a single dissatisfied (non) customer/member of the public. Plus of course the RSPCA *might* choose to take action themselves too.

 

[silverchild23]

Well, first of all I think I'll write a letter of complaint to the management - as Miss Wiggle says, he might not even know the state of it - and I'll see if anything happens from that. If not though, I think I'll at least report it to the RSPCA as they might be able to take it up with the council like you say.

I feel bad naming and shaming, as the garden centre itself is really nice and seemingly well run. It's part of the Newham Court Centre, that's all I'll say - GhostChoir might know where I mean.

 

[Scatta]

I feel bad naming and shaming, as the garden centre itself is really nice and seemingly well run. It's part of the Newham Court Centre

Is it Ark in Notcutts in Maidstone by any chance? I know you don't want to name and shame, but I used to work in the garden centre (NOT the fish shop!). Also, give the fish shop a call and ask if they are a member of OATA (Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association). If so, report them to OATA (http/www.ornamentalfish.org/). They should be able to help you out. Maybe even contact OATA regardless and they may be able to give you some advice on how to proceed.

 

[rdd1952]

Unfortunately, contacting higher authorities or the shop won't likely yield much results. People have tried to get something done over here about Wal-mart stores for ages with no results. They have tried emailing/writing the President, talking to the store managers (tried both myself but nothing ever changed) and calling the local ASPCA. But in most people's eyes, fish aren't pets, they're simply fish and aren't deserving of the same care as dogs and cats. I personally don't go in one of their stores any more.

 

[DanS]

I considered calling the RSPCA the other day after a visit to a local curry house. They had a tank set up probably 4' long but it had this HUGE fish in there (don't know what it was) perhaps 14" "round" - there was no way the tank was big enough and there were quite a few other fish in there - an 8" long catfish (of some type) that would have fit into the bigger ones mouth.

I do look into a tank sometimes and think "that is their entire existence!!" but i suppose the whole spatial awareness is different to ours.

ANyway, i didn't call the RSPCA, but i'm still considering it.

 

[The-Wolf]

I was looking at DEFRAs website and came across a referance to the companion animal welfare council (CAWC)

CAWC was launched on the 26th April 1999 and was set up to conduct independent studies into the welfare, care and treatment of companion animals and their role within society. The Council offers advice to members of the public, any other institution or organisation and the Government by publishing the results of their studies.
If you have any comments regarding CAWC or on companion animal welfare issues we would be delighted to hear from you.
With Best Wishes, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, Chairman

Aims & objectives
The provision of advice on the welfare of companion animals and the publication of its findings;
The furtherance of the fuller understanding of companion animal welfare and of the role of companion animals in society;
The assessment of existing legislation affecting the welfare of companion animals, and the making of recommendations regarding amendments or additions thereto.

What are Companion Animals?
The use of the phrase 'companion animal' is preferred to that of 'pet' as not only does the latter tend to be pejorative, implying a lack of any utility, but is also fails to provide an adequate description of the relationship that may grow between man and animals that otherwise mainly do perform utilitarian tasks, for example horses.
Of course it is recognised that many species other than dogs and cats contribute to human companionship, such as rabbits, rodents, cage birds, exotic species, and in particular ornamental fish

if anyone would like to contact them about welfare issuse for fish, or indeed any other companion animal
you can do so here
http/www.cawc.org.uk/contact.html