Nearly 12,000 people have rallied behind the RSPCA’s #NoFunAtTheFair campaign, calling for a ban on the outdated practice of giving pets as prizes.

To date, over 100 councils across England have implemented bans on pets being handed out as prizes on council-owned land. In July, the RSPCA relaunched its #NoFunAtTheFair campaign for 2024, urging local authorities to take action to protect animals, particularly goldfish, which are most often given away in such situations.

In just a few weeks, a staggering 11,723 individuals have petitioned their local councils to clamp down on this harmful practice. As a result, the RSPCA is now aware of 104 councils that have introduced bans. However, the charity is pushing for more councils to follow suit. While all 22 local authorities in Wales have restricted this practice on council land, giving pets as prizes remains legal on privately-owned land in both Wales and England.

The RSPCA’s ultimate goal is for the UK and Welsh governments to introduce national legislation banning the practice entirely. In the meantime, local councils taking action is a significant step in protecting animal welfare and raising public awareness.

Survey data collected by the RSPCA highlights widespread public concern:

• 91% of UK adults are shocked that pets can still legally be given as prizes, with 61% saying they are ‘very shocked’.
• 84% agree that keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty.
• 76% were unaware that pets could be given away as prizes.
• 79% support banning the practice on council-owned land in England and Wales.

Although goldfish are the most common pets handed out as prizes, the issue extends beyond just one species. Since 2020, the RSPCA has received 44 reports involving 390 animals being given away as prizes. However, many cases likely go unreported.

The campaign has gained significant support, with 12,409 people backing it in 2023, following 8,325 supporters in 2022.

RSPCA Campaigns Officer Christa Harwood expressed her gratitude for the growing support, saying:
“We’re thrilled to see more councils taking the vital step of banning this practice on their land, and we encourage any councillors aware of such bans to reach out to us so we can add them to our ever-growing list. It’s also fantastic to see nearly 12,000 supporters spreading the word in their communities and calling on councils to act.”

The RSPCA believes animal ownership should never be an impulsive decision. While goldfish can make excellent companions, they are highly sensitive and often suffer from stress, oxygen deprivation, or temperature shock when handed out as prizes. Many don’t survive the journey home.

Evie Button, RSPCA animal welfare expert, stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership:
“We all want to see pets acquired responsibly and well cared for. Unfortunately, many goldfish face poor welfare outcomes due to spur-of-the-moment carnival games. Goldfish are often misunderstood—they can make great companions, but they require proper care and research before being acquired, not afterwards.”

The RSPCA is calling for all councils to ban the practice and inspire the UK and Welsh governments to enact national legislation, as has already been done in Scotland.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the RSPCA recently published its Animal Kindness Index, which revealed a concerning gap in compassion towards animals among younger generations. The report also noted an increase in pet owners regretting their decision to get a pet, driven in part by financial pressures.

In its 200th year, the RSPCA is urging one million people to join its movement to improve animal welfare. To learn how you can help, visit www.rspca.org.uk/200.

Main image by MART PRODUCTION