Advocating for the welfare of Aquatic Pets
Our Mission Statement:
Aquatic Ally advocates for the welfare of pet fish by bridging the gap between the public perception of fish cognition and scientific reality. We understand that in order to successfully pass protective legislation we must actively inform the fish ethics/welfare debate and raise public concern.
The Issues
The ornamental fish market size was valued at USD 5.4 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2022 to 2030.
Freshwater aquarium fish are the most popular pet, with 139.3 million of them nationwide.
The different phases of the ornamental fish trade are represented by various welfare concerns. Fish experience many unnatural stressors such as poor handling, high-density packing, mixing of populations, and changes in water quality. They may succumb to diseases, and the treatments they receive are variable.
These are just some of the welfare issues that need to be addressed.
Overwhelming amounts of evidence have shown that fish can feel positive and negative emotions, happiness and fear, and can experience pain. But they have been overlooked in discussions of animal sentience and suffering.
Fish are poorly understood, their aquatic environment alien to most, and the human-fish interaction/bond is often limited. As a result, fish are given low visibility in civil society, policy circles, and the animal welfare movement.
Our Programs
Art For Advocacy
Our Art for Advocacy challenges are a fun way for artists to raise awareness while competing for cool prizes.
Fish Rescue
We rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home fish who have been surrendered or abandoned. We have a thorough vetting process to ensure fish find the best home possible.
School of Fish
We've partially rolled out our education program by adding a couple of free online courses. More coming soon.
Thanks for the Tank
We redistribute donated tanks and supplies to fish in our community who need them. Swap any tank under 5-gal for a guarenteed 5-gal tank for free.
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Legal Protection
As Fish Welfare Advocates, we are faced with an extremely complex problem that will require cooperation across multiple levels of the industry and world governments, in order to really make a difference. It will be hard, but it is possible!
At Aquatic Ally, we look at the simplified solution, as having two parts. The first critical step is public intervention, followed up with education to correct bad pet-keeping behavior and to raise public concern.
The other component would be an all-inclusive, effective, and economically viable piece of animal welfare legislation passed and legally enforced under federal law.
Until that becomes a reality in America, we will be advocating for fish welfare and raising public concern relentlessly.
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