I like Steve

[jetaero]

Shipping aquatic life via airlines is completely different than going through the mail. A main reason for this is because you have larger quantities, resulting in better sucess possibility.

I for one support my LFS, because I know they are the only place I can go to if I am in an emergency and need something right away. If all that is left is mail order supplies, we would have to know to pre-order these things to be prepared for any accident.

I would have to say I support LFS for the purpose of getting the instant gratification, and as well supplying me with large products, such as tanks and skimmers, that from an online retailer shipping alone would make more than LFS costs. IMO without LFS entry of new hobbyists would drop so dramatically, it would seem to cease.

-Josh-

 

[Rascal]

Josh - Thanks for sharing. Store owners like me are in business FOR people like you, and BECAUSE of people like you. We appreciate your support.

 

[fishinchick]

Do you sell cats and dogs throught the mail ? Why not?

That's silly. There are places that do that. Nevermind that you can look on craigslist, the recycler online and other online publications to purchase dogs, cats, rats, bats and I'm certain you can even find elephants and ship them on airplanes overnight. My best friend did this with a dog from the east coast via a website right over the good ol internet.

There is nothing wrong with shipping fish and livestock. So many local fish stores have no clue what is new or neat in the hobby, they don't care what people want and refuse to order anything beyond the blase' boring junk and people can't get the good stuff. If an LFS can't supply, let the client go where they will - that's the neat thing about the freedom of these here United States. However, I would LOVE to see some sort of regulation for LFS' (meaning some sort of Govt. regulations requiring you have to prove that you know what you are doing before you open your door and call yourself a fish store)

However very little is wrong with additionally supporting your LFS. I'm all for people having good relationships with their local fish stores.

For what it's worth .... there is little danger in shipping ANY animals as long as the person/company packing the stuff knows what they are doing.

And I don't care if I count or not you still have read my opinion.

so there

 

[JennM]

However, I would LOVE to see some sort of regulation for LFS' (meaning some sort of Govt. regulations requiring you have to prove that you know what you are doing before you open your door and call yourself a fish store)

Well in many, but not all states, there is such a government body. It's called Animal Protection Division in Georgia. Each year I have to apply for and pay for an animal protection licence, and undergo a routine inspection. If any consumer lodges a complaint, I can be inspected again and fined if there are violations. Knocking on wood, I've only ever experienced the routine annual inspections (no consumer complaints) - but therein lies another issue... LFS are subject to publc scrutiny, which can and does result in government intervention at times. Etail only facilities don't afford their customers the luxury of their being able to take a look around for themselves.

I'm not alledging any impropriety by any entity - just pointing out that the possibility of improper husbandry is a lot greater when it all goes on behind the curtain.

The state has to inspect and approve wholesale facilities too - but if they don't allow walk-ins or the general public, there's less likelihood of complaints by their customers too - thus there is less chance of substandard practices being reported.

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

However, I would LOVE to see some sort of regulation for LFS' (meaning some sort of Govt. regulations requiring you have to prove that you know what you are doing before you open your door and call yourself a fish store)

Well in many, but not all states, there is such a government body. It's called Animal Protection Division in Georgia. Each year I have to apply for and pay for an animal protection licence, and undergo a routine inspection. If any consumer lodges a complaint, I can be inspected again and fined if there are violations. Knocking on wood, I've only ever experienced the routine annual inspections (no consumer complaints) - but therein lies another issue... LFS are subject to publc scrutiny, which can and does result in government intervention at times. Etail only facilities don't afford their customers the luxury of their being able to take a look around for themselves.

I'm not alledging any impropriety by any entity - just pointing out that the possibility of improper husbandry is a lot greater when it all goes on behind the curtain.

The state has to inspect and approve wholesale facilities too - but if they don't allow walk-ins or the general public, there's less likelihood of complaints by their customers too - thus there is less chance of substandard practices being reported.

Jenn

This is an excellent point.

 

[fishinchick]

The state has to inspect and approve wholesale facilities too - but if they don't allow walk-ins or the general public, there's less likelihood of complaints by their customers too - thus there is less chance of substandard practices being reported.

Jenn

I can clearly recall at least two times of some wholesale type of place getting official types of complaints on animals. Wholesale or not, complaints do get filed and put thru.



again I believe and would welcome any official that would regularly come by and check on the animals at the facility I work for as well as any live goods establishement I am working at. I think this is very necessary and California doesnt really have anything in place regarding that.

I wish we did. I can think of at least five LFS' between here and home (carson to corona) that could use a little poking in the head because of the health of the fish because of the conditions that they are being kept in.