Fins and Feathers Sanctuary is a non-profit 501(c)3 rescue and rehabilitation organization located at 5002 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. They take donations both financial and animal (fish or birds). They find homes for fish and birds which have none. If you can provide a home, the adoption fee varies per animal. See their website for more details as to what they have available or you can visit in person, their hours are Tuesday thru Saturday 11-6. They request if you wish to adopt or donate an animal that you make an appointment, see the website for details. Since they are a non-profit and not a zoo, they operate with volunteers rather than employees. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact them and they will fill you in on the opportunities.
The new location is very nice, with a professional air to it. They have one aquarium in the lobby and one behind the front desk. The new location offers much more room for bird supplies, cages, and toys. They clearly cater to birds mostly, though it is commendable their efforts on the aquatic front. From what I observed, the fish are well taken care of and tend to be the more prolific type fish, livebearers, pleco, and goldfish. I am not sure what fish they accept exactly, so be sure to check with them before taking your wet pet to them. Interestingly this rescue is located in the same shopping center as Seascape Aquatics now. They will be my next blog.
This is not a LFS I would put on a fish crawl list, just because their service is very specific, local, and not very casual. Finding homes for unwanted or overgrown fish can sometimes be very challenging. There are other rescues around the state and some LFS will take fish which are healthy. I recommend searching Facebook and asking around at your Local Fish Store. The two that I know of are located in private homes, so you contact them online or by phone and schedule an appointment. Tell them what you have or what you are searching for, and they will take it from there. I have not listed these businesses because they are not technically LFS. It is not that hard to find Fish Rescue online.
My PSA on the issue is to research before buying any pet animal. If you are setting up an aquarium, know the type(s) of fish or inverts you plan on putting in there well in advance since the tank will need to be cycled. Know the full-grown size, water parameters, and temps they need, as well as their food requirements. Getting immature fish for a smaller tank knowing full well they will need re-homed in a year or so is a practice I do not support. Here is an article I helped write on the topic of ethics. All my aquariums are planned out and have a purpose or theme. It is my intention you find value in these blogs. May your Joy be increased through this wonderful hobby of caring for these pet animals.
Sequoia Elisabeth
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