Kimpton Hotels Discontinues Fish-Rental Program

Goldfish Will No Longer Be Placed in Rooms at Boutique Hotelier

For Immediate Release:
January 11, 2018

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

After discussions with PETA, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC, is ending its goldfish and guppy rental program, in which live fish were delivered to guests’ rooms upon request as a perk. PETA is working with the company to remove and find appropriate adoptive homes for the more than 200 fish at nine hotels across the country.

“As a pet-friendly hospitality company, we decided to discontinue the Guppy Love program,” said a Kimpton spokesperson. “We look forward to continuing to welcome pets of all shapes and sizes to our hotels.”

PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman adds, “Scientists have proved that fish become depressed from a lack of space, stimulation, and adequate enrichment, just as humans do. PETA applauds Kimpton for making the kind decision to discontinue this program.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—notes that fish communicate, form bonds, grieve, and are capable of experiencing fear, pain, and stress. But in the pet trade, they’re transported from dealers to pet stores inside tiny, cramped bags and containers that bear no resemblance to their natural habitats. Many die in transit.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.