Well I have sent my letter. I must comend you Sully for the way you are going about this. Being smart about it is the best way to institute change. One irate letter means nothing but hundreds of polite requests can go a long ways. :thm:
I need help--really lots of it.
- Thread starter Sully
- Start date
I might send a letter to petco. my petco is a really good one, but they are still supporting negative myths, like that you can keep BW fish like BB gobies in FW and that aquarium salt makes BW. there are no petsmarts in alaska yet, so I don't know if I should send a letter, as I am not a customer there.
kind of off the topic, but i wanted to add it. sometimes petsmart surprises me in a good way.
i went there the other day and half the tanks had goldfish in them. i was pretty annoyed, since goldfish really don't belong with the other tropical fish, etc. . . so i asked the lady who was working in that section. she told me that the goldfish were in there because they had a pond snail outbreak and the goldfish were acting as "employees" to clean up the snails. awesome. rather than use chemicals or pretend there is no problem, they used a natural and sensible method to get rid of the snails. upon closer inspection i saw what she was talking about, and the goldfish were working hard. hooray, petsmart!
i went there the other day and half the tanks had goldfish in them. i was pretty annoyed, since goldfish really don't belong with the other tropical fish, etc. . . so i asked the lady who was working in that section. she told me that the goldfish were in there because they had a pond snail outbreak and the goldfish were acting as "employees" to clean up the snails. awesome. rather than use chemicals or pretend there is no problem, they used a natural and sensible method to get rid of the snails. upon closer inspection i saw what she was talking about, and the goldfish were working hard. hooray, petsmart!
by all means send to petco. but, if we also keep attention focused on a single issue, with a single retailer it helps to effect a change moe quickly.
Over 10,000 hits on this and similar threads over the past several weeks. People say they are even sending letters--lol. And, getting a standard reply. So, here is the letter of the week we are hoping people e.mail or send via snail mail.
-----------------------------------
Mr. Kenneth T. Hall
Sr. Vice President, Merchandising
PetSmart, Inc.
19601 North 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
RE: Accuracy In Information
Dear Mr. Hall,
I am aware of the PetSmart reply to recent correspondence discussing Responsible Husbandry and Humane Treatment as they relate to fish. I also understand the reply has been sent to more than one of the individuals sending letters. The reply is interesting,
“…your concerns have been brought to the attention of our Management Team. They periodically review our signage and care guide information and will make changes as appropriate on the next review.”
I have a several questions concerning the reply:
• Are these the same Managers that reviewed and approved existing signage?
• Will your company utilize new information that more accurately reflects the true nature and
characteristics of the fish you sell?
• When is the planned review?
• Would you welcome an outside review of your existing information prepared by individuals
concerned with the accuracy of what is currently provided?
• Is there a date to expect revised signage that may be shared with members of dozens of on-line
fishkeeping communities?
Mr. Hall, experienced fishkeepers would willingly work with PetSmart, in a cooperative spirit, to assist your company with the development of the appropriate information required for the responsible care and husbandry of Tropical Fish.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
cc. Robert F. Moran
Barbara Fitzgerald
Mary Miller
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish are not flushable. They are not consumables or disposables. Consumers deserve accurate information. Fish deserve Responsible Husbandry. Without the first the second simply won't happen.
Here is the e.mail address. corpcommunications@ssg.petsmart.com Postal address is above.
Join in and help the hobby.
If you have not visited our site -- www.noclownsinacube.net -- please do. it may help you gain a better understanding of what we are attempting to accomplish in both the near and long term.
Thanks for your help and support.
Over 10,000 hits on this and similar threads over the past several weeks. People say they are even sending letters--lol. And, getting a standard reply. So, here is the letter of the week we are hoping people e.mail or send via snail mail.
-----------------------------------
Mr. Kenneth T. Hall
Sr. Vice President, Merchandising
PetSmart, Inc.
19601 North 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
RE: Accuracy In Information
Dear Mr. Hall,
I am aware of the PetSmart reply to recent correspondence discussing Responsible Husbandry and Humane Treatment as they relate to fish. I also understand the reply has been sent to more than one of the individuals sending letters. The reply is interesting,
“…your concerns have been brought to the attention of our Management Team. They periodically review our signage and care guide information and will make changes as appropriate on the next review.”
I have a several questions concerning the reply:
• Are these the same Managers that reviewed and approved existing signage?
• Will your company utilize new information that more accurately reflects the true nature and
characteristics of the fish you sell?
• When is the planned review?
• Would you welcome an outside review of your existing information prepared by individuals
concerned with the accuracy of what is currently provided?
• Is there a date to expect revised signage that may be shared with members of dozens of on-line
fishkeeping communities?
Mr. Hall, experienced fishkeepers would willingly work with PetSmart, in a cooperative spirit, to assist your company with the development of the appropriate information required for the responsible care and husbandry of Tropical Fish.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
cc. Robert F. Moran
Barbara Fitzgerald
Mary Miller
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish are not flushable. They are not consumables or disposables. Consumers deserve accurate information. Fish deserve Responsible Husbandry. Without the first the second simply won't happen.
Here is the e.mail address. corpcommunications@ssg.petsmart.com Postal address is above.
Join in and help the hobby.
If you have not visited our site -- www.noclownsinacube.net -- please do. it may help you gain a better understanding of what we are attempting to accomplish in both the near and long term.
Thanks for your help and support.
Quoting Mudfrog
"I have two 14" Pacu's in a 150 and thats barely big enough for them, they've already broken 2 all glass hoods from darting around."
Mudfrog : Get rid of a fish, or buy another 150. Would you keep one Pacu in a 75g? Well I guess you do. Nevermind.
"I have two 14" Pacu's in a 150 and thats barely big enough for them, they've already broken 2 all glass hoods from darting around."
Mudfrog : Get rid of a fish, or buy another 150. Would you keep one Pacu in a 75g? Well I guess you do. Nevermind.
There are days I feel like this thread is a blog. But, I think it is important for everyone to understand the equation we are working with when it comes to the question of Accuracy in Information. Hopefully you read the comments below and then go back up to the suggested letter of the week and send or e.mail a copy.
MichaelB found something on the Point-Of-Purchase signage that fascinates me. And, it reinforces, at least in my mind, the value of the approach “no clowns in a cube” is taking. The item was an 800 number. The number does not lead back to PetSmart. Rather, it leads to a supplier of tags.
Buying from a third party does not relieve a retailer of responsibility for the information contained. The odds of hobbyists having any influence with someone we do not buy from are nil. The third party does not need to keep the ultimate consumer of the product advertised happy. All they need to do is keep their customers satisfied. Their customers being the retailers. By voicing our concerns to a specific retailer we can create an awareness of a problem that may not have previously existed.
PetSmart says it is the leader in the retail pet trade. They are a company that has very publicly committed themselves to Responsible Husbandry and Animal Welfare. As a leader with an ethical pet treatment agenda they can cause a change in signage to occur. An additional benefit of having that change occur as a result of PetSmart's commitment to animals is that the manufacturer of signage will be able to sell the "new and improved" signage to mass merchandisers, regional chains, and local retailers. With a dedicated effort we can encourage one change that ripples throughout the distribution chain.
A single focus. A single change. An industry wide correction.
Send those letters. Keep it polite. Keep it dignified. Treat PetSmart with the same respect we provide our fish.
MichaelB found something on the Point-Of-Purchase signage that fascinates me. And, it reinforces, at least in my mind, the value of the approach “no clowns in a cube” is taking. The item was an 800 number. The number does not lead back to PetSmart. Rather, it leads to a supplier of tags.
Buying from a third party does not relieve a retailer of responsibility for the information contained. The odds of hobbyists having any influence with someone we do not buy from are nil. The third party does not need to keep the ultimate consumer of the product advertised happy. All they need to do is keep their customers satisfied. Their customers being the retailers. By voicing our concerns to a specific retailer we can create an awareness of a problem that may not have previously existed.
PetSmart says it is the leader in the retail pet trade. They are a company that has very publicly committed themselves to Responsible Husbandry and Animal Welfare. As a leader with an ethical pet treatment agenda they can cause a change in signage to occur. An additional benefit of having that change occur as a result of PetSmart's commitment to animals is that the manufacturer of signage will be able to sell the "new and improved" signage to mass merchandisers, regional chains, and local retailers. With a dedicated effort we can encourage one change that ripples throughout the distribution chain.
A single focus. A single change. An industry wide correction.
Send those letters. Keep it polite. Keep it dignified. Treat PetSmart with the same respect we provide our fish.
Further to that 800 number, there was a company name as well. A search brought up a website along with an email address. I sent an email asking whether those POP "sets" were available for purchase by independant fish retailers across North America.I also wanted to know exactly who was responsible for the written portion of the identification cards. Specifically the species info such as Diet, Max size, Tank size, etc. My question was, Do you the graphics company supply these preprinted cards or does the retailer supply you with the information to be printed? Where does this information come from? Hopefully a response is forthcoming so that "niggling" question running around my brain can be answered. Lol!
have you sent your letters yet?
We have samples at our web site you can take advantage of. Along with snail mail and e.mail addresses.
We have samples at our web site you can take advantage of. Along with snail mail and e.mail addresses.
Hi All,
Being a professional dog trainer and pet nutritionist i cannot tell you how much misinformation petsmart pumps into people about dog, cat and small animal care as well. Dogs and cats suffer short lives riddled with cancer because Petsmart insists that the food they sell are top of the line: WRONG! There is not one food in that giant store i would ever recommend feeding (unless you would like to kill your dog or cat slowly!).
So when i got into fish keeping i didn't bother asking any employee at a big chain store for advice: i came right to these type of sites.
I suggest all of you who have dogs and cats do that same: Do not listen to people at pet stores about fish, dogs, cats, rabbits or birds: they don't know anything!
Keep writing letters!
Tara
Being a professional dog trainer and pet nutritionist i cannot tell you how much misinformation petsmart pumps into people about dog, cat and small animal care as well. Dogs and cats suffer short lives riddled with cancer because Petsmart insists that the food they sell are top of the line: WRONG! There is not one food in that giant store i would ever recommend feeding (unless you would like to kill your dog or cat slowly!).
So when i got into fish keeping i didn't bother asking any employee at a big chain store for advice: i came right to these type of sites.
I suggest all of you who have dogs and cats do that same: Do not listen to people at pet stores about fish, dogs, cats, rabbits or birds: they don't know anything!
Keep writing letters!
Tara
