RSCPA: 89% of adults in Wales say keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty
This week the RSPCA relaunches its #NoFunAtTheFair campaign, calling for animals as prizes ban.
New research by the RSCPA shows 89% of adults in Wales believe that keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty.
This week the RSPCA relaunches its #NoFunAtTheFair campaign calling for the practice to be banned.
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.
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.
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 says:
“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.
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, says:
“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.
“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.”