Powys supports pet prize ban

Powys County Council has become the final local authority in Wales to support a ban on giving pets as prizes on council-owned land.

The ban, led by the RSPCA, aims to prevent the practice of giving away animals as prizes at fairs and events held on council land.

The council recently confirmed to the RSPCA that its cabinet had considered a letter from RSPCA Cymru requesting the ban and had resolved to support the proposal. Officers have been asked to draft a policy for the Cabinet's consideration.

This latest development means that all 22 local authorities in Wales are now in agreement that the practice of giving pets as prizes should not occur on their land.

Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Ceredigion, and Blaenau Gwent have also implemented their own bans, along with several town and community councils.

The RSPCA's campaign, titled #NoFunAtTheFair, aims to put an end to the tradition of giving pets as prizes at fairs and events. It highlights the responsibility of animal ownership and the need for prospective pet owners to conduct proper research and preparation before bringing a pet home. Goldfish have been the most commonly associated animal with prize-giving, with the RSPCA receiving 42 reports of pets being given as prizes since 2020.

The charity urges potential owners to conduct research and prepare their tanks at least two weeks in advance before bringing a fish home. While the bans imposed by local councils prevent the practice on council-owned land, the RSPCA continues to call for national legislation in both Wales and England to prohibit pets being given as prizes outright.

Sioned Nikolic, Public affairs officer for RSCPA Cymru, said:

“Only a few months ago we were calling on 10 local authorities to take action and now we have all councils in agreement that this will not be happening on their land.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to fill out our campaign action, along with the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, for writing to councils in the summer. We’re also grateful to the relevant councillors and council officials for their part in getting this over the line in their areas too.

“We know that this is something people care about - with many assuming it is already banned. Sadly, this practice can still take place on private land despite the council bans, so we would ultimately like to see pets being given away as prizes banned outrightly by the Welsh Government.”

To learn more about the RSPCA's #NoFunAtTheFair campaign and join the cause, visit their website at https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/petprizes