Berks and North Hants urged to support ban on pets as prizes
The RSPCA is encouraging supporters to write to their local councillor
Last updated 12th Jul 2021
The RSPCA is urging people in Berkshire and North Hampshire to put pressure on their local authority to ban giving away pets as prizes.
The charity's launched a campaign #NoFunAtTheFair after it received 144 calls about the practice since 2015.
Supporters are being encouraged to write to their local Councillor, asking them to propose a Notice of Motion that would ban any events on local authority land, where pets were being given away as prizes.
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.
"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.
"When 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.
“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.”