General News
17 February, 2025
'Fins or fur, a pet is a pet'
Big or small, Anthony Innes and Bailey Paige say all animals are equal.
Big or small, Anthony Innes and Bailey Paige say all animals are equal.
"Fins or fur, a pet is a pet and a life is a life," Ms Paige said.
As such, the couple recently started a fish rescue after it was identified that Horsham needed one.
Ms Bailey said she had always had a fascination and a soft spot for animals – especially animals of the aquatic kind.
Likewise, Mr Innes has had aquatic pets in the past.
In July the couple purchased their first tank together, and it wasn't long before they were adding another to their collection.
"From that point on we kept collecting tanks – today we'll be picking up our 21st tank," Ms Bailey said.
Mr Innes and Ms Paige said they often went to Pets Domain for supplies, and it was members of staff there who suggested the fish rescue.
"They had told us they couldn't take in rescues and often turned down fish from people wanting to surrender them," Ms Bailey said.
"We sat on the thought of possibly rescuing fish for a few weeks, until the end of January when we went into the store and one of the staff told us she had some fish out the back for us.
"She told us a lady had come in the day prior with two Odessa barb fish she no longer wanted and said that if Pets Domain didn't take them, then she'd throw the fish into the river."
Ms Bailey said after bringing the fish home, the pair decided from that day on they wanted to assist as many fish as possible.
"Home Aquarium and Aquatic Rescues is a zero-profit organisation that we've just begun," Ms Bailey said.
"We want to make a difference in the aquatic animal community and assist where we can, as much as we can.
"We serve no judgment to anyone.
"We understand, whether someone just simply does not want their aquatic friends anymore or if they just can no longer give them the care they deserve and need."
Only a week into the venture the pair have rescued seven fish and have received a couple of donated tanks.
"Yesterday an older couple surrendered four fish alongside their tank.
"It was a sad sight for us to see as they were left alone for some time, but it was due to the owners' health.
"A situation like this is what breaks our hearts to see but further encourages us to do what we can to help."
To surrender fish to Ms Bailey and Mr Innes, contact them on 0421 916 022 or 0466 535 500.