This is a copy of the first page of my letter to Petsmart.
My reason for writing is this: Why does Petsmart continue to sell fish bowls when it is recognized by many aquarists that they are not suitable habitats for fish?
For the sake of this argument I’ll use betta fish as my first example:
According to Petsmart’s betta fish care guide the minimum tank size is one quart/one liter, while the vast majority of aquarists view the bare minimum as 2.5 gallons. There are multiple problems associated with keeping betta fish in small bowls.
•While the care guide does rightly state that betta fish require an aquarium heater, the smallest heater sold by Petsmart is for 3-5 gallons (The Hydor mini heater). So the temperature of a bowl cannot properly be maintained to suit the betta’s tropical needs of 76F-82F. Customers will often complain about the inactivity of their bettas, and it is easily explained by the simple lack of heat.
•Although bettas are labyrinth fish and are able to breathe air from the surface, they should still have filtration. Again, this is mentioned in the care guide, but bowls cannot be outfitted with a filter. These contradictions should be fixed, by adjusting the minimum tank size to at least 2.5 gallons.
•Lastly I’ll mention the moral issues with housing fish in bowls. Yes, a betta can survive in a bowl, but they will not thrive, and that is what Petsmart should strive towards. Betta fish will live longer lives in filtered, heated tanks. If that is how they live best, than that is how they should be kept.
By removing bowls, and amending the minimum tank size in the betta care guide, wouldn’t Petsmart make money? The total cost of a betta, bowl, marbles, betta pellets, and water conditioner is under . If associates told people to buy proper homes such as the Eclipse System 3 which is 47.99, customers would still need to buy an aquarium heater which would cost about 13.99. That makes the total just above .
As a pet care specialist I take my job seriously, and that job is to help pet parents find the perfect home for their new pets. In a perfect world people would research all this information on their own and come into the store knowing exactly they need, but that is rarely the case. People depend on the pet care specialists to give them correct information.
Any constructive criticism is welcome. I’m sure I’ve left something out, or made a few mistakes. The next page will deal with goldfish.
Rin- While it is true that Petsmart needs to make money like any other business, they also focus a lot on customer service. My store has frequent meetings where we are lectured on taking care of our customers. All stores within an area compete, and believe me, you do not want to be the lowest in the district.
Sweet Luv- I don’t have a lot of room, or money, but all my pets get what they deserve. I’m a firm believer that if you don’t have the room or the money, than you need to wait to buy pets and that is what I tell my customers.
Serena- I have dealt with those types of customers before- The old men that boast about their 8 year old goldfish back in the day. I politely smile and tell them that my goldfish are 13 years old, and have many years ahead of them.
Taylor- Thank you very much. I can’t tell you how on the verge of quiting I was. I am so tired of people not caring about their pets. This hobby is fun but it takes a little work, just like any other pet.
Blowhole- I know Petsmart is far from perfect.
I always politely thank a customer who points out a dead fish, and I do wait until they leave to remove it.
If you were not satisfied, next time please ask to speak with the pet care manager.
Fish Man- Thank you. I knew I was forgetting something. I’m starting with Petsmart because I work there, and can’t stand it anymore. So, no Petsmarts, Petcos, or fire bellied toads?
AliDawn- I am well aware that I may be fired. I have another job lined up.
Blowhole- Please do send that letter. There are a few people I work with who certainly should never have been hired. But pet care associates are supposed to be standing at the podium while customers are looking at fish. Also please do not dicriminate against teens, I’ll be one for another few months.
JohnKinley- I shop for my three dogs, two cats, 1 parrot, 1 tree frog, 1 leopard gecko, fish tanks, and pond. The quality of the products is worth the price. I’ve been working at Petsmart for nearly two years. Who says we "have to take the good with the bad and deal with it as best we can until we can come up with something better"?
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi
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