The RSPCA is calling for the giving of pets as prizes to be banned and is urging local authorities across England and Wales to act to protect ‘misunderstood’ goldfish.
As coronavirus restrictions continue to ease across England and Wales, the RSPCA fears that the ‘out-dated and cruel’ spectre of pets being given away as prizes will return to fairgrounds as events resume in greater numbers.
Councils have been urged to take a lead on the issue and ban any events on their land that give away pets as prizes.
Goldfish are the animal most commonly associated with prize-giving and since 2015 the charity has had 144 calls about goldfish and other aquatic animals being given as prizes – although reports have completely stalled since coronavirus restrictions were put in place and shows stopped taking place.
The charity now fears that, as fairgrounds and fetes return over the summer months , many goldfish will be given away as a prize to ‘unprepared’ new owners.
Supporters are being urged to write to their local councillors, asking them to propose a Notice of Motion that would ban any events on local authority land where pets are being given away as prizes.
POWERFUL
The RSPCA say this would send a ‘powerful statement’ to both the UK and Welsh governments that pets being given away as prizes should be banned outright.
Meanwhile, the charity continues to urge prospective pet owners to thoroughly research adding an animal to their family before they acquire one – and says fish are often ‘misunderstood’ as they can be hugely rewarding but challenging animals to look after’.
Evangeline Button, from the RSPCA’s wildlife department, said: “Fairgrounds are a summer family favourite and we know many people will be delighted to see them return as coronavirus restrictions continue to be eased.
“But sadly, it’s still too often commonplace to see pets – mainly goldfish — being given away as prizes. This remains legal in both England and Wales but for the animals involved, there is no fun at the fair.
“Animal ownership is a big responsibility – and shouldn’t be a spur of the moment result of winning a game. To those playing – if you win, they lose.
“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, and many will die before their new owners can even get them home.
MISUNDERSTOOD
“They’re misunderstood pets as they can make great companions, but can actually be challenging to look after and new owners must do their research before they acquire the fish, not afterwards…
“Sadly, goldfish won at fairgrounds are held in plastic bags in unsuitable conditions for long durations and taken to homes which are not adequately prepared to meet their welfare needs. It should be candy floss people take home from the fair, not live animals. ”
“That’s why we want local authorities across England and Wales to ban the giving of pets as prizes on their land, taking the lead to consign this out-dated and cruel practice of giving pets as prizes to the history books.”
