Curly, Larry, Moe, Shadrach, Meshach and “A Bilie Goat” found a home that isn’t a stomach with 3-year-old Carrington Coppinger on Friday.

“Mommy feeds them way too much food,”she said with a giggle.

Carrington’s mother, Kelley Coppinger, an advertising professional-in-residence at Western, was given seven goldfish by one of her students who’s a member of Delta Tau Delta.

“He said he had 1,500 goldfish in his car and asked if I would like to take any of them,” she said.

She said the biggest fish died on Friday, but she took home six others to her daughter.

Howard Bailey, vice president for student affairs said a woman saying she was from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called him, and expressed concern that the Delts were going to eat live goldfish at their upcoming Goldfish Party 2009.

Bailey said she was disturbed by people eating live goldfish at Western because it’s cruel.

He said the Delts donated the real fish and bought some goldfish crackers for its Goldfish Party.

Bailey said this is the first year the party has attracted attention of agencies outside of Western.

Louisville senior Doug Russell, who is the Delt president, declined to comment on the party.

According to PETA’s Web site, a staff member of Philadelphia Insurance Companies swallowed a live goldfish for a company fundraiser this year.

PETA sent the company’s corporate headquarters a letter telling them that eating goldfish could be illegal according to local laws and asking them to make sure it doesn’t happen again, according to the Web site.

“We also pointed out that fish are smart animals with distinct personalities and that they feel pain and fear just as other animals do,” the Web site stated.

PETA officials couldn’t be reached for comment.

Bailey said the Delts’ chapter adviser told the members it was in their best interest not to eat live goldfish because it would cause them some grief.

“Whether the students intended to eat the fish or not I can’t say,” Bailey said.

The Goldfish Party T-shirt has a picture of a smiling goldfish with “Betcha can’t eat just one” printed on the back.

Bailey said the Delts charged at the door for the party in previous years to raise student awareness about cancer.

Somerset sophomore Kenny Vaught, social chair for the Delts, said he planned the party.

He said the party’s happened since 1993.

Vaught said that the event was just a party.

According to the Facebook group “Party 2009!!!,” Vaught changed the name of the group from “Goldfish Party 2009!!!” to “Party 2009!!!” on Friday.

Diana Gibbs, owner of Fishey Business, said the Delts ordered 1,500 goldfish from her store about a month ago.

She said when people order fish in bulk from the store they don’t ask what they will be used for.

Gibbs said the Delts have ordered goldfish from her store for seven or eight years.

Gary Wiser, coordinator of Greek affairs, said the Delts haven’t had an issue with the party in the past.

He said the Delts thought it’d be best to give away the fish.

Wiser said the Delts gave the fish to a feeding pond.