Please DON'T give animals as a party favor (Vent)

[Miller1412]

We went to a birthday party that gave live goldfish as a party favor. We've been to another where we were given hermit crabs as a party favor.

I know that the intentions were good, but PLEASE don't give live animals as a favor!! This is wrong on so many levels!! First, life is life. The fish sat out in the heat all afternoon and half or more were dead before they ever made it home. Second, ok...now we've got dead animals, and disappointed kids. My DD is so sensitive about animals. She was heartbroken!
Third, My DS's survived, so now we have to go out and purchase a bowl for the fish, food for the fish and whatever else it needs. And it's had it rough, so we might buy the stuff and have it die anyway. I still have to give it a fighting chance though.

Animals aren't favors. They are a responsibility, even the smallest ones!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

wow,,i never would have thought that people would give animals as favors!

 

[Sparx]

people actually do this!?

 

[mickeyfan2]

I never heard of this. This falls under the same umbrella of never give a pet as a gift that the receiver did not ask for.

 

[Michie]

You have got to be kidding? What morons.

 

[powellrj]

every year I tell the kids they are NOT ALLOWED to win anything that is alive. I can't believe they still give live fish out at parties and carnivals.

 

[mum4jenn]

Oh yes...It is with all those folks that just have to have a "THEME" like Little Mermaid etc.. I think it is horrible to do but you know the type trying to always outdo the Jones's.

 

[Briarmom]

If anyone did this to me, I would pull them aside (away from the kids) and rip them apart. That has to be the most ridiculous thing I've heard in awhile!

 

[MosMom]

We went to a school carnival and they played the goldfish game and instead of giving you a live goldfish, you won a coupon for a free golfish at the pet store. I thought that was a great alternative. Then you can choose to have a pet goldfish and no goldfish were harmed in the process.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Amazing.

 

[EthansMom]

Yup, went to a Nemo-themed birthday party a couple years back where each kid was given a gold fish as a favor. Went out and bought a bowl and food and the fish died in a few days. Then we had to buy another gold fish.

 

[Beauty]

Its becoming more and more common around here. I agree with you wholeheartedly!! Animals are a responsibility and some parents choose not to have them for their children. Not to mention little children who are brokenhearted when NEMO only lives 2 days.

Nope this isn't cool.

 

[happybratpack]

This wasn't "favors", but at a beach themed wedding reception last year I went to they had fish in glass bowls as part of the centerpieces. (LOTS of them) Come to find out when they cleaned the reception hall they dumped them. Makes me so mad!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

This wasn't "favors", but at a beach themed wedding reception last year I went to they had fish in glass bowls as part of the centerpieces. (LOTS of them) Come to find out when they cleaned the reception hall they dumped them. Makes me so mad!

Now that takes the cake...that's disgusting.

There was a long thread about this a while back, and I agree...VERY bad idea, for every reason stated. My well-intentioned niece gave my 80 yr old mom one of those vases with a plant on top and a fish in it...know what I mean? She thought it was a lovely looking item, but she just wasn't interested in taking on caring for a pet.

 

[MoniqueU]

I would be pissed as I am not one who wants pets of any kind I would be pissed to have one foisted upon me.

 

[PaulaSue]

Oh my, is she related to my IL? She gave my DD a fish as a big sister present. NOT asking us or anything.

 

[MandM-Mom]

Well I guess I am one of those BAD people. We had a fish catching contest at our little mermaid party this year for my 4 year old and everyone won one, we got the feeder fish at the pet store put them in a kiddy pool under the tree and let all the kids take turns catching one with the little net.....and they loved it! I guess all the parents of my DD friends must me horrible like me because they all thought it was a great idea, just like going to the carnival and winning one, which DD loves to do! Oh the outrage of it! LOL! Actually I had small fish squirters for childrens to have instead of the fish incase the parents said no, no body took the fish squirter at our party! And all the left-overs were were fed to the other bigger fish in the pond.

In the end you are the parent you have the right to say no your child can not have it, so why should it be such a big deal, different strokes for different folks!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

All I can say is WOW.

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Please, don't take offense. After reading this thread, I guess I can see the rationale. But, after just reading the title, I giggle, thinking it was kind of like the warning on a Superman Costume cape, "Cape does not allow you to fly." It just seems so obvious.

 

[Mom21]

I only wish dd had gotten a gold fish. It will be 3 years in Oct. DD came home with a party favor of a dwarf hamster. That night went out and spent $50 on stuff for that dumb thing. Can't believe it, but he is still alive ( I thought they only lived a year or two) and going strong. Go Hammie!! I will say, he is a cute little thing, and I am NOT even an animal person.