RSPCA renews call for national ban on pets as prizes amid overwhelming public support

A STAGGERING 89% of Welsh adults believe keeping a goldfish in a plastic bag constitutes animal cruelty, according to new figures released by the RSPCA.

The animal welfare charity has relaunched its #NoFunAtTheFair campaign this week, calling for an outright ban on the outdated practice of giving live animals—typically goldfish—as prizes at fairs and events.

While all 22 Welsh local authorities have banned the practice on council-owned land, it remains legal on private land in both Wales and England. The RSPCA is now urging national governments to step in and introduce legislation to end the practice entirely.

In the meantime, the charity is encouraging members of the public to “vote with their feet” and refuse to participate in fairground games where live animals are offered as prizes.

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for RSPCA Cymru, said: “As we approach the summer fair season, we’re asking the public to take a stand against this outdated and cruel practice. We’re proud that all 22 councils in Wales have banned it on their land, but it’s time for action at a national level to ensure goldfish aren’t being handed out as if they were cuddly toys.”

The call for reform comes amid fresh polling commissioned by the charity. Key findings include:

• 92% of Welsh adults said they were shocked to learn pets can still be given away as prizes;
• 82% agreed that local authorities across England and Wales should ban the practice on their land;
• 79% believe national governments should introduce a total ban, including on private land;
• 76% were unaware the practice was still legal;
• 89% agreed that keeping a goldfish in a bag is animal cruelty.

Since 2020, the RSPCA has received 53 reports involving over 400 animals given away as prizes. The charity believes many more incidents go unreported.

Goldfish are the species most often affected. Despite their reputation as easy pets, they are complex animals that can live up to 30 years and grow up to 30cm long. They are prone to stress and injury, particularly when kept in small bags with insufficient oxygen or temperature regulation.

Evie Button, the RSPCA’s animal welfare expert, warned: “Handing someone a sentient animal in a plastic bag undermines how we value animals as living beings. Many goldfish given away in this way die before they even make it home. It’s not only inhumane but sets a dangerous precedent about responsible pet ownership.”

Scotland already has legislation banning the practice in almost all circumstances. The RSPCA is calling on the UK and Welsh governments to follow suit.

The public can support the campaign by signing the petition at: www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/petprizes

THE SALVATION ARMY is hosting drop-in events across Wales this week to mark national Employability Day (June 20). Jobseekers can get expert advice from the Employment Plus team and maybe even find a match with a local employer.

There will be local drop-in sessions in Wrexham, Aberystwyth and Carmarthen where jobseekers can get employment advice, training and volunteering information and review live job vacancies and some employers will be present.

Simon Evans (49) from Wrexham, is full of praise for The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus team after he found himself searching for work. As a thank you, Simon will be volunteering at this year’s Employability Day event in the city. Mr Evans said:  “My life changed. They listened. They empathised. They understood. You can’t put a monetary value on being able to change somebody’s life for the better. Now it’s important to me that I give something back to others.”

Abi Gardner is Assistant Regional Manager for The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus service in Wales, Abi said: “We work with people across Wales who are desperate to work but who face the biggest barriers to getting employment, such as physical and mental ill-health or a lack of relevant skills, education or affordable childcare. Employability Day is a way of highlighting the importance of work in people’s lives and a reminder to the team of the many jobseekers they have helped into work in throughout Wales.”

On Tuesday, the Employability Day event includes coffee and chat held from 10am until midday on Tuesday June 17 at The Salvation Army in Carmarthen at 108-109 Lammas Street.

Thursday June 19 will see two events, one at The Salvation Army’s newly refurbished church hall at 2, Ffordd Alexandra Road in Aberystwyth from 10am to 1pm. From 11am to 12:30pm the church in Wrexham at Garden Road will host. 

An Employability Day walking event will be held at Victoria Park in Neath on Tuesday June 17. Around 15 people who live with mild-to-moderate mental health issues and are being supported by the local Employment Plus team, will join the walk. It’s a community event designed to create a friendly, supportive space for anyone who may feel disconnected or overlooked, offering opportunities to connect with others and grow in confidence.

Analysis by The Salvation Army of the Annual Population Survey for people aged 16-64 from January 2024 to December 2024 from the Office for National Statistics showed in Wales an estimated 7.8% were real unemployed, an estimated 4.6% were economically inactive but wanted a job, and 3.3% were unemployed.

In the past 12 months, Employment Plus has fully supported 4905 people across the UK and Ireland on their employability journey. This cohort has completed 14,452 milestones – such as building a new CV, completing a training course or a work experience placement – with 930 of them gaining employment.

Our Employment Plus service is delivered from 247 Salvation Army churches, centres and hostels for people who are homeless. We are also working in 160 other locations such as at Job Centre plus or other local partners, and 11 prisons.

SAUNDERSFOOT RNLI has launched a colourful new initiative to banish the blues and raise funds for the lifesaving charity this summer.

Visitors to the popular seaside village are being encouraged to take part in the Yellow Welly Trail — a light-hearted scavenger hunt featuring the charity’s iconic yellow lifeboat boots. The bright miniature wellies have been dotted around the town, with families and supporters invited to track them down.

The campaign was launched this week (Friday, June 13) by the Saundersfoot RNLI Branch. Participants can collect an entry form from the RNLI shop in exchange for a small donation, then follow clues to find the hidden wellies and explore the town. Prizes and RNLI merchandise are also on offer, with a range of yellow welly-themed items now in stock at the Saundersfoot lifeboat shop.

The trail is part of a broader effort to raise awareness of the RNLI’s vital work along the Welsh coast and to support its fundraising targets. Proceeds will go directly towards maintaining lifeboat services and supporting volunteers in the area.

An RNLI spokesperson said: “This is a fun, family-friendly way to engage the community while highlighting the work our crews do all year round. Every welly spotted brings us a step closer to saving more lives at sea.”

Photos shared by the RNLI show wellies perched around the village — including one mounted on a blue bollard with a sea view behind it — drawing attention and smiles from passersby.

The campaign is also being promoted online under the hashtags #saundersfootywt2025 and #yellowwellies, with Saundersfoot residents and visitors encouraged to share their photos and join in the fun.

For more information or to take part in the trail, visit the RNLI shop in Saundersfoot and speak to the volunteer team.

Photo caption:

Iconic sight: One of the RNLI yellow wellies placed in Saundersfoot for the Yellow Welly Trail (Pic: RNLI Saundersfoot Branch/Facebook).