89% of Welsh adults believe that keeping a goldfish in a bag is cruel

RSPCA’s #NoFunAtTheFair campaign calls for the ban of pets as prizes

A mighty 89% of adults in Wales believe that keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty, according to new figures.

This week the RSPCA relaunches its #NoFunAtTheFaircampaign calling for the outdated practice – which mostly involves goldfish being handed out as prizes – to be banned.

The charity is also urging anyone who sees goldfish being given out as prizes to vote with their feet and to not take part.

All of Wales’ 22 local authorities have restricted this activity on the land which they control,  but giving away pets as prizes remains legal on privately-owned land in Wales – as is the case in England. The charity is now urging its supporters in England to sign an email which calls upon their local authoritiesto stamp down on this practice to protect animals that otherwise often suffer as a consequence of being given away.

In England, the RSPCA is aware of more than 160 councils that have banned this practice – but the charity wants to see more sign up.

The RSPCA is ultimately calling on both the UK Government and Welsh Government to introduce outright bans on the giving of pets as prizes via national legislation – but local councils taking action is a great step in restricting the practice locally, and raising awareness about animal welfare.

New data* obtained by the RSPCA has found that:

• 82% of Welsh adults agree that local governments in England and Wales should ban the giving of pets as prizes on council-owned land.
• 92%of Welsh adults are shocked that pets can still legally be given away as prizes – 66% are ‘very shocked’, while 26% are ‘somewhat shocked’.
• 76% of Welsh adults are not aware that pets can be given away as prizes,
• 89% of Welsh adults believe that keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty.
• 79% of  Welsh adults agree that the UK and Welsh governments should ban the giving of pets as prizes on private-owned land.

Goldfish are the animal most commonly associated with prize-giving. Over the past few years (since 2020), there have been 53 reports (involving 400 animals) about pets being given as prizes made to the RSPCA; but the charity fears many incidents go unreported.

RSPCA Cymru’s Senior Public Affairs Manager Billie-Jade Thomas said: “As we approach the summer holidays and  fairs and shows become more commonplace, we’re urging our supporters to vote with their feet and not take part in the types of games where you can win a goldfish.

“We’re delighted that Wales is leading the way and that all the 22 councils have taken action so that this practice will not take place on their land. However, the giving out of pets as prizes is still legal  in Wales on private land.

“We hope that more councils across the border take action , and we’d love to see nationwide bans to prevent the practice entirely.”

The RSPCA believes animal ownership is a big responsibility, and while goldfish can make great companions, they shouldn’t be acquired via a spur-of-the-moment game.

Goldfish are easily stressed and very often fish that are won as prizes suffer miserably from shock, oxygen starvation or die from changes in water temperature, while many may die before their new owners can get them home.

The RSPCA is also concerned that giving pets away as prizes risks further damaging how animals are perceived by society.

Evie Button, RSPCA animal welfare expert, said: “We all want to see a world where pets are acquired responsibly, well looked after and respected. But sadly, many goldfish are at risk with their welfare hinging on the spur-of-the-moment result of a carnival game. 

“Goldfish are easily stressed and often, fish won as prizes suffer miserably from shock, oxygen starvation or die from changes in water temperature, and many will die before their new owners even get them home. They’re misunderstood pets – as they can make great companions; but can be challenging to look after and owners must do their research before they acquire the fish, not afterwards.

“Handing someone a sentient animal in a plastic bag full of water as a prize can clearly encourage individuals to not treat them as a sentient being, but rather as a worthless object that can be thrown away.

“Put simply, animals are not prizes. As we all strive to create a better and kinder world for every animal, the best way to keep goldfish safe and end this outdated spectre is to encourage all councils to take action and ban pets as prizes to inspire the UK and Welsh Governments to introduce outright bans – as is already the case in Scotland.”