What to do with the fish when you're done.

[KoiCCAPW]

What do most folks do with their fish when they can't be in the hobby anymore? Especially when most of your fish are not show quality?

I really, really love koi and everything about this hobby, but right now I can't do it anymore. My mother is going thru a very prolonged end of life situation. My filter and pond is very "mickey mouse" and to work, it needs to be cleaned every other day. Also, the pond leaks and I need to drain and change about 10% of the water daily.
Up till now my daily schedule was able to accommodate this, about a half hour to 40 minutes per day, and hour every 4-5 days for filter cleaning. But I can't do it anymore.
I would love to upgrade my filter and pond, but the money is not there now, and won't be for about another year or two. At that time I'd love to put in a proper koi pond.

Where would be a good place to advertise free koi?

Barb

[Russell Peters]

I hope that you are able to spend some quality time with your mother while you are helping her through this difficult time.

I think putting the word out here on Bito about your Koi is a good start. I would also contact some of the other local Koi clubs and let them know what is going on. You should contact Terri Noel with the San Francisco club. She woluld probably be able to help you out with your Koi.

[jnorth]

Sorry to hear that . You could try craigslist: san francisco bay area classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events its a free classified site that gets a TON of traffic.

[koikichitoo]

I applaud you for taking care of your mother. I am doing the same thing so I know how taxing it is. I agree with JNorth.. The Koi clubs in the area are a great choice. I think they would have the experience to take the best care of your koi. Craigs list is good too but I would "screen" or interview the people to make sure they can handle the responsibility. Good luck with the future. I would be happy to share any information and experience I have with caring for an aging parent.

Best wishes.

Lori Jo

[Cody Turtle]

Russell I ment to ask you about Terri when I saw you earlier today, do you have any contact info for her?

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell Peters I hope that you are able to spend some quality time with your mother while you are helping her through this difficult time. I think putting the word out here on Bito about your Koi is a good start. I would also contact some of the other local Koi clubs and let them know what is going on. You should contact Terri Noel with the San Francisco club. She woluld probably be able to help you out with your Koi.

[aquitori]

Barb, sorry to hear about your mother....You could probably start to offer the fish to members of the 2 clubs your associated too...

[MikeM]

There are often folks in clubs who engage in 'koi rescue', taking unwanted fish and finding them homes. Unless the new home is known to you (or the rescuer), it is a good policy to require some payment for a koi, even a nominal amount, to assure a better new home.

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cody Turtle Russell I ment to ask you about Terri when I saw you earlier today, do you have any contact info for her?

Hi Cody, I do not have any contact info.

Russ

[KoiCCAPW]

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions and well wishes. It's greatly appreciated.

I think I will start with my clubs and go from there. Don't know why I didn't think of that before. I will start that in motion next week as I'm not up to it this week.
Thanks again.

[Steve Nguyen]

I think there are multiple ways of handling this situation without permanently losing your fish if some club members willing to lend a helping hands by temporarily adopting the fish from you and keep it for two years. after two years, you can take it back and restock them with your new pond. if you fail to build a pond after two years, then they can keep the fish or it's their choice to give it back or keep it. I think it's a fair approach.

how many fish do you have and how big are they? I can take care one fish for you until you build your new pond, then you can have it back. no time limit in this case. I will try my best to grow it and keep it alive but if it dies, it's no one's fault.

Steve