Urge PETCO to Stop Selling Wild-Caught Animals
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BACKGROUND | SOURCE PETA
Few people realize the magnitude of suffering in the captive fish industry—a $300 million worldwide “hobby” responsible for the annual capture of more than 20 million fish, 12 million corals, and millions of other types of marine life.
At least 95 percent of the gentle saltwater fish sold in pet shops have been cruelly ripped from their natural homes. Trappers douse coral reefs with poison in order to stun the fish for easy capture—half the affected fish die painfully on the reef, and 40 percent of survivors die before they reach an aquarium. The cyanide poison that is routinely used in this cruel practice also kills the reefs themselves as well as countless other animals who live and depend on them. In places where trappers do not use cyanide, such as in the waters of Hawaii, nets are used to capture the animals. Almost 67 percent of animals who are caught with nets die from stress, starvation, or injuries. Many fish suffer barotrauma, which occurs when they are forced to surface too quickly, and some are even subjected to organ puncturing, which is done to relieve the visible effects of barotrauma, and fin clipping, which is done to facilitate shipping.
PETCO sells 439 species of saltwater animals, almost all of whom were stolen from their natural habitats. For each animal displayed for sale on PETCO’s shelves, nine other individual animals were cruelly captured and died before even reaching the store. Please write to PETCO CEO James Myers today and urge him to stop perpetuating this cruel and environmentally devastating industry immediately by ending the sale of wild-caught saltwater animals on the PETCO website and at all of the company’s stores.
WHOM TO CONTACT
Please send polite comments to:
James Myers, CEO Petco
jimm@petco.com
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear CEO Myers,
It has come to my attention that you are selling wild-caught saltwater animals, and I am respectfully requesting that you cease this business.
Please allow me to elaborate. At least 95 percent of the gentle saltwater fish sold in pet shops have been cruelly ripped from their natural homes. Trappers douse coral reefs with poison in order to stun the fish for easy capture—half the affected fish die painfully on the reef, and 40 percent of survivors die before they reach an aquarium. The cyanide poison that is routinely used in this cruel practice also kills the reefs themselves as well as countless other animals who live and depend on them. In places where trappers do not use cyanide, such as in the waters of Hawaii, nets are used to capture the animals. Almost 67 percent of animals who are caught with nets die from stress, starvation, or injuries. Many fish suffer barotrauma, which occurs when they are forced to surface too quickly, and some are even subjected to organ puncturing, which is done to relieve the visible effects of barotrauma, and fin clipping, which is done to facilitate shipping.
Furthermore, saltwater beings are complex animals who experience suffering and joy, and who also have the capacity to nurture complex relationships and display grief upon separation. Indeed, despite an almost-universal apathy towards their sensitivity, they do experience pain and react negatively towards stressful situations including loud noises, lights, enclosures, and disturbed environments. Although customers may find them entertaining and “useful” as pets, it is indeed a painful and terrifying experience for them.
Please take this opportunity to express compassion and empathy for our animal friends and decide to help rather than harm them by discontinuing selling wild-caught saltwater animals.
Thank you for taking the time to read this urgent appeal.
NAME
we are tropical fish, pretty as can be.
but we were not born to keep humans
company.
the pain we suffer, the trauma and the fear,
when you tear us away from the waters
we hold dear.
so those of you in the pet selling
industry,
do not buy or sell wild caught animals
the likes of we!!!!
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
Our Compass 
Sent!
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Thank you, Courtney.
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Wow, I wasn’t aware of this…thank you for informing us…I sent an email to Mr. Myers
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Thank you so much, Athena.
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we are tropical fish, pretty as can be.
but we were not born to keep humans
company.
the pain we suffer, the trauma and the fear,
when you tear us away from the waters
we hold dear.
so those of you in the pet selling
industry,
do not buy or sell wild caught animals
the likes of we!!!!
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SENT E-MAIL. ! THESE MONEY MAKING GREEDY BASTARDS WILL REAP WHAT THEY SOW !!
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Thank you so much, Linda.
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email sent its so irresponsible to be elling any animals but wild caught ones its just so wrong! Thanks Stacey email sent and shared in several places and Karen another great poem of course
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Thank you so much, as always, dearest.
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thank you florence☺♥☻
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response i received from petco
Karen Lyons Kalmenson,
Thank you for notifying us of your concern.
Thank you for taking time to share your concerns about marine wildlife.
Please know that Petco is committed to the health and well-being of animals, including aquatic species. We’re also committed to protecting coral habitats, which are critical for the survival of innumerable species and the many communities around the world that rely on vibrant reefs for food, jobs and economic growth.
As a company, our long-term goal is to offer only fish that have been bred in captivity or obtained through managed-collection practices that include careful attention to the sustainability of the animals and their habitats.
We’ve spent more than a decade working with aquatics suppliers to develop and foster techniques that help ensure the long-term sustainability of fish populations and habitats.
Today, nearly 90 percent of the fish we sell – primarily freshwater species – are bred in captivity, and nearly two-thirds of the coral we offer is aqua-cultured using environmentally responsible techniques.
We are currently working with third-party industry experts and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to create and implement more sustainable collection and transport practices across the industry, and to pursue certification processes for fish suppliers as a way to help minimize environmental impact.
In addition, we’re funding efforts to create sustainable solutions. As a retail leader, we participate in “1% for the Planet” and in 2012 we are donating 1 percent of our Planet Petco brand product sales to captive-breeding marine initiatives.
We’re also a founding sponsor of and an active participant in Rising Tide Conservation, an initiative to promote research and conduct saltwater fish trials to help the global marine fish industry develop captive-breeding programs.
Captive breeding of saltwater fish is an extremely delicate science. Because of the difficulties involved, it will take time to make captive breeding the primary method for sourcing marine fish.
However, we are encouraged by the progress being made, and through our support of Rising Tide Conservation, we are helping to expand captive-breeding techniques for saltwater fish. To date, Rising Tide has conducted successful rearing trials involving several marine species.
We continue to support these efforts, most recently by funding a project dedicated to Hawaiian fish.
Thanks for your interest on this important subject.
Best regards,
Ester V.
Customer Relations Coordinator
Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World
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Thank you, hon, I received no response.
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I received the standard email reply and wrote to Mr. Myers again asking him why they were unable to just STOP selling wild-caught fish (since they say they’re already at 90%), and why does their goal ending it have to be a long term one…no reply just yet, but I’m not really sure I’ll even get one…
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I appreciate your efforts nonetheless, thank you so much, Athena.
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Reblogged this on delia1979.
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It’s so sad seeing all those beautiful tiny frogs and lizards beeing forced to live in such small glass boxes for the rest of their lives . Staring at the walls all day and night
Petco must stop selling them
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