If you feel strongly about the tone of these ads, please take a minute to write (you have to put Attn: Park Board Commissioners in the subject line, or they won't get the letter)

pbcomment@vancouver.ca (Park Board)

Aquarium:
Acting Manager, Public Relations
Brenda Jones
Tel: (604) 659-3516
Fax: (604) 659-3566
brenda.jones@vanaqua.org

Marketing, Promotions, Media Relations
Mary Cardle
Tel: (604) 659-3450
Fax: (604) 659-3515
mary.cardle@vanaqua.org

Marketing, Donation Requests, Media Relations
Christian Huot
Tel: (604) 659-3446
Fax: (604) 659-3515
christian.huot@vanaqua.org

Here is my letter:

To The Vancouver Park Board,

In the Saturday, May 28th edition of the Tri-City News, there were 3 separate ads for the Vancouver Aquarium that myself, and everyone I know who saw them, found disturbing and distasteful. They show 3 situations where people are ready to dispose of their family pets, and quite frankly I cannot believe the Aquarium would authorize the use of ads that send such an irresponsible message to children.

Ad #1 shows a little girl staring eye to eye with her bunny and saying "I'm so done with you Flopsy"

Ad #2 shows a man standing over his little dog and saying "Winston you're pathetic"

Ad #3 shows a child holding a kitten and saying " You're boring Mittens"

In my opinion, the only responsible thing the Aquarium could do to correct this situation, is to run another ad in any venue where these were shown and make an apology for the first ad. You should also explain to children that having a pet is a life time commitment, and they cannot simply dump it when they tire of the entertainment value the animal once provided.

Shame on whomever created and approved these ads! I will not be bringing, nor will I recommend anyone I know, take children to the Vancouver Aquarium for any "education".

Sincerely,

Emma Vandewetering
Port Moody

PS: if anyone would like to see the ads I have scanned copies plus the originals that I can forward.