Fish Rescue Spotlight: Betta Life Rescue and Sanctuary
- bettaworldforbettas
- Jul 12
- 2 min read
This month, we’re featuring Betta Life Rescue and Sanctuary, a betta fish rescue based in Hanover, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2024, the rescue provides individualized care for bettas in need and helps educate the public about proper fish care.
1. Tell us about your rescue
I was personally taking in rehomed betta fish for a couple years when I realized how under-cared for they generally are, and that they are often seen more as a decoration than an individual being with their own personalities. I wanted to do more to help, so I started Betta Life in 2024.
My long term goals are to: help as many betta fish as possible, educate owners on proper fish care, and advocate for better conditions in pet stores.
All betta fish here get their own 10 gallon tank with a filter, heater, and enrichment items, and we currently have capacity to care for 11 fish at a time. To date we have taken in 24.
2. What types of fish do you usually take in?
We do focus on betta fish only, although I now apply my rescue criteria to my personal pets as well.
3. Where do the fish you rescue typically come from?
Most of our betta fish are rehomed to us because they are unwell, or sometimes they are unwanted. We see a lot of illnesses like fin rot and swim bladder disease related to improper water conditions, and also a lot of fighting injuries due to inappropriate tank mates such as betta sororities, combining males and females or mixing with other types of fish.
On principle, we won't purchase a fish from any person or company who is trying to make a profit off them.
4. What are some of the biggest challenges your rescue faces?
The biggest challenge we face is finding adopters. It's important to me to find people that will care responsibly for their fish, and to find them I have a questionnaire requesting details of their tank and care plans. I've found that most people are not willing to put the time or effort into completing it. I consider it an important requirement because I don't want to remove fish from one bad environment to put them back in another.
5. Is there a rescue story that has stayed with you?
Every single betta fish to pass through my care holds a special place in my heart, but I often think of one of my earlier fish Onyx, a beautiful metallic gold boy who developed diamond eye in both eyes during his time here and then later several tumours. He was bred for beauty, not for health, and that's not okay. Despite his conditions he persevered, he learned how to find food, make his way around his tank and enjoyed relaxing in his leaf hammock. I've included a photo of him camouflaging in his fave spot.
6. How can people support your work?
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at: bettaliferescueandsancturary@gmail.com