The RSPCA is calling on the Government and the Welsh assembly to follow Scotland by banning pets as prizes.
The charity says it still receives dozens of reports a year of fairgrounds offering goldfish as prizes.
Scotland banned the practice in 2006 but in the rest of the UK it is up to local councils to act.
Banning pets as prizes is one of the key demands of the Mirror’s campaign with the RSPCA to cancel out animal cruelty.
We are also calling for animal welfare to be taught in schools to teach pupils about the importance of protecting pets and wildlife.
Do you think it should be banned? Have your say in the comment section
There are fears that as the lockdown restrictions are lifted fetes and fairgrounds will again start giving away goldfish.
Since 2015 the RSPCA has received 144 calls about the use of goldfish and other aquatic animals in funfairs.
It says fish in plastic bags can suffer stress, shock and oxygen starvation.
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.
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“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.”
A number of local authorities have already taken action to ban goldfish as prizes, including Liverpool, Worthing in West Sussex and Caerphilly in Wales.
Cllr James Pritchard of Caerphilly county borough council said: “People I spoke to in Caerphilly were aghast the practice of giving pets as prizes isn’t already banned - so it was really important for me to work with the RSPCA to deliver this change.
"Here in Caerphilly, I’m proud we have now taken a firm stand and used the power at our disposal, and also urged the Welsh Government to deliver change in this area across Wales.”
Giving goldfish as prizes can cause serious welfare issues. Many will die before getting back to their new homes, or shortly after; and winning any animal through a game actively encourages owners to take on pets spontaneously without thinking it through - often with disastrous consequences.
Our campaign demands:
- Protect animals from brutal acts of cruelty at the hands of humans
- End pets being given away as prizes
- Animal welfare classes to be included in school curriculum
Sign the petition at www.rspca.org.uk/crueltypetition.
