A mighty 89 per cent of adults in Wales believe that keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty, according to new figures, but giving pets as prizes is still legal in England and Wales.

This week, the RSPCA relaunches its #NoFunAtTheFair campaign calling for the outdated practice - which mostly involves goldfish being handed out as prizes - to be banned.

The charity is also urging anyone who sees goldfish being given out as prizes to vote with their feet and opt not to take part.

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 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:

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 Cymru’s Senior Public Affairs Manager Billie-Jade Thomas 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 Wales is leading the way and that all the 22 councils have taken action so that this practice will not take place on their land. However, the giving out of pets as prizes is still legal in Wales on private land.

“We hope that more councils across the border take action, and we’d love to see nationwide bans to prevent the practice entirely.”

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.”