Aquarium offers sanctuary to Paris’ unwanted goldfish

Initiative hopes to raise awareness on animal welfare

Just keep swimming: A pet goldfish named Luiz Pablo being shifted to the Paris aquarium.

Life can look pretty grim for a pet goldfish: a lifetime cooped up in a small glass bowl and, for the most unlucky, a final journey through filth-filled sewers.

But for goldfish in Paris, salvation is at hand. The Paris Aquarium is offering sanctuary to those goldfish who have outlived their cramped quarters and outlasted their owner’s affection.

Emie Lefouest decided she could no longer offer Luiz-Pablo a decent quality of life in his goldfish bowl.

“I am quite attached to him but I said to myself that two years is enough and it’s now time for him to move on and live like a goldfish should,” Ms. Lefouest said.

An aquarium worker transferred Luiz-Pablo to a holding tank where his health will be monitored for 40 days before he is introduced to the aquarium’s main display tanks.

The Aquarium hopes to raise awareness on animal welfare through this initiative.