Pets as prizes banned by all 22 Welsh

All councils in Wales are banning pets as prizes at funfairs and events.

Twenty-one local authorities have already implemented the ban, while Powys council has confirmed it will be joining them.

It comes as part of the RSPCA’s No Fun At The Fair campaign, which is calling for regulation on events which have historically given animals as rewards.

But the charity says an outright Welsh government ban is needed to prevent the practice happening on private land.

Sioned Nikolic, RSPCA Cymru’s public affairs officer, said: “Only a few months ago we were calling on 10 local authorities to take action and now we have all councils in agreement that this will not be happening on their land.”

But the ban does not mean the practice cannot continue on private land.

“We know that this is something people care about, with many assuming it is already banned,” she said.

“We would ultimately like to see pets being given away as prizes banned outrightly by the Welsh government.”

Since 2020, there have been 42 reports about pets being given as prizes made to the RSPCA, but the charity fears many incidents go unreported.

Goldfish are the animal most commonly associated with prize-giving, but the RSPCA says they are easily stressed and very often fish that are won as prizes suffer miserably from shock and oxygen starvation or die prematurely from changes in water temperature.

Ms Nikolic added: “They’re misunderstood pets as they can make great companions, but can actually be challenging to look after. New owners must do their research before they acquire the fish, not afterwards.

“Before bringing a fish home for the first time, it’s important to set the tank up at least two weeks in advance to make sure it’s all running smoothly, and this just isn’t possible for someone who’s won a fish without being prepared for it.”