Tell PETCO to Stop Selling Wild-Caught Fish as Pets - ForceChange

By Stephanie Mann on July 6, 2012

Target: PETCO

Goal: Stop the sale of wild-caught saltwater fish as pets.

Many saltwater fish sold in pet stores are not raised in captivity, but are instead caught from the ocean itself. This is disruptive to the natural environment and harmful to the fish itself. A majority of the fish die before even reaching the pet store, and living in captivity shortens the lifespan of these fish that were meant to live in the ocean.

The wild fish are first stunned by the fish trappers so they can be captured more easily. Cyanide poison is often used for this, and it ends up killing more than half the fish affected. The poison is also harmful to the coral reefs where these fish live, and the same areas may be subjected to the poison multiple times as more fish are captured. Even when nets are used instead of poison, a majority of the fish suffer from injuries which can be fatal. When the fish arrive at a pet store such as PETCO, they suffer from stress in unfamiliar conditions which can lead to illness that would not affect them in the wild. Store employees may also be unknowledgeable about how to care for these fish, leading to further stress and illness for the animals.

The capture of wild saltwater fish leads to harm for both the animals and the environment. The profit for the trappers and exporters of wild-caught fish is not worth the damage to the fish or the destruction of their natural environment. To stop this cruel cycle, pet stores must stop buying and selling wild-caught fish. Tell PETCO to stop selling these wild caught fish as pets.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear PETCO:

Among the many animals sold at your stores are saltwater fish that are caught from the ocean. In order to catch these fish, trappers often stun them with cyanide poison. This poison is fatal to more than half the fish affected by it, and is also very harmful to the coral reefs where these fish live. Additionally, living in captivity can be stressful to the fish, making them more susceptible to illness.

I ask you to stop selling wild-caught saltwater fish in your stores. There are many fish that can be good pets and are bred in captivity. The damage done to the wild-caught fish and their natural environment is not worth the profit of selling these animals, especially when there are other available fish that are bred safely in captivity.

Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]

Source: http://forcechange.com/25940/tell-petco-to-stop-selling-wild-caught-fish-as-pets/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tell-petco-to-stop-selling-wild-caught-fish-as-pets

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