[revolutionrocknroll]

So I was signing up for on campus housing next year and I was reading the rules, and I realized that I can have as many tanks as I want in my room. Before I thought that it was only one tank with a maximum of 10 gallons, but in the rules I read it said "fish must be kept in proper aquariums that are no bigger than 10 gallons." It doesn't limit the amount of tanks. So now I'm happy because I can bring my 10 gallon tank, my 2.5 gallon tank, and then I can rescue some fish next year and rehome them!

My plan is this: A lot of college students get bettas at the beginning of the year and end up not taking care of them (I even heard some kids in my hall laughing about how they don't even feed their fish anymore. Ugh.) So I thought I would buy 4 medium Petco pet keepers (about 1.75 gallons) and 4 inexpensive heaters and put up fliers around the dorms and on campus about my rescue. People who no longer take care of their fish would relinquish them to me, and I'd take care of them until I could rehome them. I'd have 4 fish at a time and a waiting list. I'd make sure the people adopting the fish knew about basic care, and I'd give handouts with the fish. Fish would be free to adopt, but if I get donations they will go towards tanks, better heaters, medicine, etc. Just anything I need for the fish. I think that I would also use Craigslist and Facebook as marketing tools.

What do you guys think? Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for me? Has anyone ever done anything similar to this?

 

[djembekah]

that sounds awesome!

 

[XxBettaLoverxX]

:thumbsup:

 

[revolutionrocknroll]

I know! I can't wait until next year And my mom approved it too, which is a big deal, since she didn't even want me having more than one fish at the beginning of this year. I was expecting her to disapprove.

 

[Badjer]

Sounds fantastic! One of my swim teammates that graduated last year got a betta to bring with her to college in one of those tiny bowls with like, 2 cups worth of water. Needless to say, it lived about 3 weeks.

 

[Bombalurina]

Yay! I think that's a great idea.

 

[revolutionrocknroll]

Thanks guys!
I have two worries-
1) No one will be interested at all.
2) People will only be interested in relinquishing and I won't be able to find anyone to adopt them.

 

[JBosley]

Thanks guys!
I have two worries-
1) No one will be interested at all.
2) People will only be interested in relinquishing and I won't be able to find anyone to adopt them.

Sounds great! :-D You could always put an ad on Kijiji or Craigslist about them. Or offer them on here for people who are near you? Or if you are okay with shipping, just ask a small fee plus the shipping fee.

 

[mattoboy]

Trust me, people will want free betta's, especially members with hearts on this site.

 

[Olympia]

I'm sure people on here would take some. Also be sure to point any new adopters over to this website, lol

 

[revolutionrocknroll]

Oh, yeah. I was actually thinking about putting some useful sites on the care sheet handout things that I'm going to make and I'll be sure to put this one, of course!
The problem is... I live in Vermont. No one lives in Vermont -_- I've never met anyone from Vermont on any forum I've ever been on. If I was from Massachusetts or California (or I guess, most states have more people than VT) I wouldn't be as worried.
But if people are willing to pay for shipping, I would definitely look into that.

 

[JBosley]

Oh, yeah. I was actually thinking about putting some useful sites on the care sheet handout things that I'm going to make and I'll be sure to put this one, of course!
The problem is... I live in Vermont. No one lives in Vermont -_- I've never met anyone from Vermont on any forum I've ever been on. If I was from Massachusetts or California (or I guess, most states have more people than VT) I wouldn't be as worried.
But if people are willing to pay for shipping, I would definitely look into that.

I'm sure people would be! :-D I love this idea

 

[Bombalurina]

If I wasn't in Australia, I would take one.

At the very least, even if no one does respond, you've made a positive effort towards improving betta conditions.

I'd suggest also advertising yourself as a "betta doctor" so people could come to you, rather than to petshops, for advice when their fish got sick. It would be an opportunity to educate them on filters, heaters and clean water, and if they weren't prepared for that they might surrender the fish to you. If they are prepared for that, then hey, you've got a convert.

 

[revolutionrocknroll]

Oh yeah, that's a good idea too! I'm sure I'd mostly be like "Your fish is cold, get a heater." Or, "It's fin rot, how often do you clean your half gallon bowl out...?"
I heard today from my RA that a ton of fish were left over winter break, but luckily the RD took them all home and adopted them before they closed the dorms. I don't know why people would get pets that they knew they couldn't take care of.
I think a lot of people are going to be flushing them tonight/tomorrow (We have spring break next week). It makes me sad but I can't do anything until next year