The recent explosion of a fish tank and the seizure of more than 350 sick birds from pet stores expose the dangers in selling animals.
In the past month, two high-profile pet store disasters made headlines. These tragedies underscore the danger of keeping and selling animals as “pets.” Almost all animals sold in pet stores are bred in cruel mills and shipped hundreds, even thousands, of miles, to reach a shelf. Even if an animal survives that journey, there’s no guarantee they’ll survive the store.
Hundreds of Fishes Dead in Illinois Pet Store
In Illinois, a tank exploded at the Something Fishy pet store, killing more than 350 fishes. It seems obvious to state, but fishes can’t survive outside water. When we keep them as “pets” or as decorations, their lives depend on complex tanks and filtration systems that often fail. When they do, animals pay with their lives.
By number, fishes are the most exploited animals in the pet trade. Tropical fishes, like betta fishes, are bred in mills in Southeast Asia and kept in small plastic bottles. They’re shipped in sealed plastic bags packed into cardboard or foam boxes. Businesses know many won't survive the trip. Their deaths are built into the sales model.
350 Birds Seized From Baltimore Pet Shop
In Baltimore, animal control officers seized more than 350 birds from Loros Exoticos Baltimore after a resident filed a complaint. The birds were being kept in unsanitary conditions, and many were ill. Birds had respiratory issues, diseases, and mites, and some were pulling out their own feathers, likely a sign of stress. Some of the sickest birds died shortly after being taken into custody.
BARCS, Baltimore’s animal shelter, struggled to find placements for the birds. There are very few bird rescues and sanctuaries in the country, let alone in Maryland, and mass seizures like this one can quickly overwhelm what little capacity exists. Some birds were ultimately transferred to rescues that had never cared for a bird before. Sanctuaries already struggle to keep up with the steady stream of birds surrendered by individuals—a seizure of 350 at once is simply catastrophic.
Stop the Mill-to-Pet-Store Pipeline
Animals don’t need to suffer in pet stores. Help us end the sale of animals in stores by taking these steps:
- Download our toolkit that explains how to end the sale of birds and other animals in pet stores in your community.
- If you live in New York City, ask your legislators to prohibit the sale of birds in pet stores.
- Check out your local shelter if you’re interested in adopting a bird.