[LuBird]

Dear Members,

On Dec. 17th I noticed at our local Walmart store black mold building up in the Aquarium tanks. It looks like it is coming from the live,small aquatic plants they have in each tank. It is slowly killing the fish. I reported it to a manager and they said thanks for pointing it out to them and they would correct the problem. It is still going on and the fish are still dying. It is so insensitive and cruel to these fish that are totally dependent on this store to provide a safe environment while selling them.

I reported it to another Manager again Saturday and offered to come in on my own time,for free, and try to correct the problem,but he said they couldn't do that,but he would see that they removed the black mold and the offending plants. I told him that may not be enough to solve the problem because some mold spores are invisible to the naked eye and their whole system is contaminated.

I sent an e-mail to the Walmart Corp.site on the Internet and there has been no response. I checked PA laws,but the laws are vague and mostly geared to protect fish in the wild and farm animals. PETCO has some kind of advocacy program,but before I contact them,I thought meybe some of the members here might have some suggestions. Thanks, Lucille

[Beverlybaynes]

Lubird, I haven't noticed you posting in a while, and it's great to see your name pop up!

Good for you for caring enough about the fish to try and do something about it!

I have no idea what the 'proper' way to go about it would be, but have you thought about contacting a local ASPCA or some such? Perhaps they might know of a way to help, or be able to lead you to someone or some organization with useful information.

And I'd just keep at Wal Mart. Ask the store manager if there's a regional supervisor or office you could contact. Assure them that you intend to, then do so. Squeaky wheels get the grease, you know.

Good luck! And thanks for caring enough to do something!

[LuBird]

I am getting around right now to go back in Walmart and put an application in and see if they will hire me as an employee in the pet dept.. Meybe that will work. I confess I already did something radical for me,I am so wimpy, it's pitifu!!. I sneaked in yestereday and threw some of the infected plants out!!! Today I am going to "Buy" every last plant in those tanks and throw them away.

In the following week, I will contact the ASPCA as you suggest and some of the other activist groups,but I don't want to hurt Walmart,I really like their store.

I know I am not posting much,but I am trying to look at all the Gallery Pics and it is taking most of my alloted time here. The other thing is, I learn so much just reading other members postings. I am too self concious and worry too much about my grammer,content,etc.

Have a great day and thanks for your encouragement,it will help me be brave today!!!

[simondix]

Lubird if you have a soft spot for animals don't work in a pet shop or department.

[LuBird]

Originally Posted by simondix

Lubird if you have a soft spot for animals don't work in a pet shop or department.

What I have is an open,bleeding wound for animals. Meybe you are right,but I thought if I stayed employed just long enough to save the fish from the black mold it would be worth it.

[simondix]

Try thr ASPCA or whatever your animal welfare organisation is over there. Fish are a 'Cinderella' when it comes to Welfare legislation even over here. Why don't you stand outside with a placard stating the problem. When they start to lose custom they will soon rectify it. Bad publicity.

Keep us posted as to how you get on. Good Luck!


Who knows you might end up on the FBI files.

[cuddy]

Glad you have taken a stance LuBird, as a former enthusiastic tropical fishkeeper i often encountered bad conditions in stores tanks, mainly down to ignorance.

I now dont keep fish as i think it is cruel to do so, and the same applies to birds these creatures should be free not contained for our pleasure.

Good luck with Walmart, i hope you manage to educate them it is in there interests as well.

Brian.

[LuBird]

Me too Brian. I have only an outdoor pond(1000 gal.) and a Bog. I made the whole thing in the back yard as nature intended and the fish in the pond stay in a dormant state in winter and are healthy year after year,no fish die anymore out there. I stock a local pond with the excess fish and the school children have field trips to this wonderful pond. They are watching and learning about responsibility to Wildlife. I hope the next generation will do better in protecting this Resource.

Wish me luck today Folks.
This is the day I do battle with the store if the problem has not been resolved. I am going to the local Newspaper and calling the local TV station as soon as I have my last try directly with Walmart Management. I am going to contact the SPCA and our County Wildlife Agency too.

[cuddy]

Once built a pond for a friend who was working offshore and never had the time to build one himself.

On returning he was overjoyed and promptly went out and spent a fortune on fish to stock it.

Next day when he woke and looked out the window he saw a very well fed Grey Heron finishing off the last of his fish, at least now i can say its only nature in the raw.

Good luck Today and in the New Year.

Brian.

[Bluetail]

Originally Posted by cuddy

Once built a pond for a friend who was working offshore

I'm still trying to get my mind round that one!

Jason

[LuBird]

ARGHHHHHHHH! That is an awful Fish Story to tell me Brian! Those Heron have no respect for Pond fish. I wish I had a friend like you who would have built my Pond:)

NOW FOR THE BEST NEWS! This has turned into a great day for Walmart. It took three visits this morning,but finally they are fixing the problem. They are bringing in Aquarium specialists and will probably end up replacing the whole filtering system because it is practicaly impossible to decontaminate any system that badly poluted with black mold spores. They removed all the contaminated plants and stones, and asked what else to do till the Specialists get there. I asked for more oxygen to be pumped into the tanks and to lower the temperature of the water. They said they would do that too. They said money was not the issue any longer,they just want to correct the problem and stop the suffering of the fish.
I am a happy Koi Keeper tonight.Kudos To Walmart,they really do care.
I feel like the Fish Police with a search warrant,but I have to say I got my nerve up from the kind folks on this thread. I Thank You So Much For Caring and taking the time to give me courage to keep after them.
Have a Great and Prosperous New Year!!!!

Lucille

[cuddy]

Well done Lucille a great result and it shows if you approach things in the right way big companys will listen and this has had a good ending.

Brian.

[simondix]

Well done and a Happy New Year.

[BirdWatcher]

Well done, Lucille!

You kept at it until you were satisfied with the end results and planned your way methodically, with much patience & fairness, and an obvious great love of animals.

What a wonderful way to start a New Year! With a success story for the animals.

I wonder how many of the rest of us would have done the same? For me, I think I would have felt sad for the fish .. but most likely done nothing.

Let's hear it for Lu! Hip..Hip..HOORAY!

BirdWatcher

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Three cheers for Lucille - the world needs more people like you!

[LuBird]

Thank you Birdwatcher. I was sooooo afraid all the time. I guess I thought they were going to kick me out of their store and ban me forever