Rescue Bettas

My posts as of late have been inspired by debates I've seen on betta groups recently. This one caught my attention.
Some experienced betta enthusiasts will go to stores that sell bettas but not take care of them. I'm sure you have seen them, kept in little plastic cups, never getting clean water. Castiel was one of those, even in a clean cup he seemed perfectly healthy. But I see now how much he's improved in being in my care. His colors are vibrant, he's active, even growing an eighth of an inch of new fins. The controversy I have seen though, is should we be encouraging these stores to treat their bettas badly by continuing to buy from them out of pity for the fish?

If we stop buying the fish then they will stop selling them, which will then end the mistreatment of more fish.

This may be true, but not everyone is going to stop buying them. Children will see a pretty red betta in the cup of fresh water because it just came in and beg to take him home, or someone with little to no experience wants to have an easy companion and they too will find the newest and prettiest one of the bunch. There are more of these than there are experienced betta rescuers. These inexperienced owners will continue to bring in profit for these stores, and the bettas left behind will be thrown down the drain once they die. It's heartbreaking to think about, but we are few cannot change anything by NOT doing anything! What we need to do is when we see this mistreatment, call up the manager, and say something. Amazing things can be done with a little movement. Too often we are those who see mistreatment and walk away with our heads held low.

Our voices may seem small but they are nothing without voice. Saying something can be all the difference.

I also believe that anyone who is willing to take in one of these fish is doing so much good at least for that one fish that would otherwise sit on the shelf until it got pushed to the back by a new shipment. 

Also good to know, is that when that betta speaks to you and you know it's the one, but it's kept in terrible conditions, take it to the staff and ask that they give it to you for free because it is in such a state. Very often employees will do this. This saves a betta without giving money to their mistreatment.

Of course be prepared to give this fish special care. It could be as simple as clean water in a cycled tank and they perk up like a flower with water after a drought, or they may need medications for whatever illness they have picked up from low immune systems. If they are given proper care they will very likely become a wonderful beautiful addition to your family.

Happy Bubble Nesting!