New figures show 78% of adults in London believe that keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty – as the RSPCA calls upon councils across England to ban pets being given as prizes on their land.
This week the RSPCA relaunches its #NoFunAtTheFair campaign calling for the outdated practice – which mostly involves goldfish being handed out as prizes – to be banned.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. The charity is now urging its supporters in England to sign an email which calls upon their local authorities to 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 who have banned this practice – but the charity wants to see more sign up.
In 2021 the Greater London Assembly supported a move to ban the giving of live animals as prizes and all London Councils were written to asking them to agree to ban outright the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on council land.
As pets as prizes can still happen on private land, the RSPCA is urging anyone in London who sees goldfish being given out as prizes to vote with their feet and to not take part.
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:
61% of adults in London agree that local governments in England and Wales should ban the giving of pets as prizes on council-owned land.
79% of adults in London are shocked that pets can still legally be given away as prizes – 34% ‘very shocked’, while 45% are ‘somewhat shocked’.
55% per cent of adults in London are not aware that pets can be given away as prizes.
78% of adults in London believe that keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty.
64% of adults in London 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 Campaigns Officer Christa Harwood 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 Greater London Assembly has been leading the way by supporting our campaign, and our list of councils across England is ever-growing.
“But we’re now calling on our supporters across England to help us call on their local council to take this important action and ban this practice on their land.
“There is clearly strong public support for councils to take action – but we still need your help to get the message out there.”
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.”
