RSPCA calls for a ban on goldfish and other pets to be won as prizes, and several boroughs in the UK stand behind them.

Swindon Borough Council is one of the 22 local authorities in England that have already implemented bans on having goldfish as prizes, but RSPCA argues there is still a lot left to be done.

Reports have stalled since coronavirus restrictions began and shows stopped taking place - but the RSPCA fear this will change this summer as fairgrounds and fetes return properly for 2022. 

Since 2015, the RSPCA has had 147 calls about goldfish and other aquatic animals being given as prizes - with a small number of these calls coming in over the past two years.

Last year 9,192 RSPCA supporters called upon their local authority to make a change and stop this practice from happening on their land.

On 20 June, Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park - the Minister for animal welfare - confirmed that Defra has "commissioned some work on the issue of pets being handed out as prizes" in England; and that the UK Government is looking at the issue "very closely".

Meanwhile, in Wales, the Welsh Government suggested in 2019 a willingness to act and that it would take forward "a separate piece of work" on the issue; though this has yet to materialise.

Lee Gingell, RSPCA’s public affairs manager for local government in England, said: "As Covid restrictions ease, there's a real risk that goldfish as prizes will return in big numbers as funfairs and festivals resume. 

"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, and many may die before their new owners can 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."