News

RSPCA praise as Pembrokeshire County Council places ban on pets as prizes

Published

4 years ago

September 6, 2022

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council will implement a ban on pets being given out as prizes, a move which has been praised by the RSPCA.

The RSPCA said that the practice of giving pets as prizes at fairs or fetes was ‘outdated’ and has welcomed the move.

Newport, Wrexham and Caerphilly councils are among those to have already supported an RSPCA campaign calling for a ban.

More than 7,500 have now taken the campaign action which contacts their local authority in their individual regions to ban pets being allowed to be given out as prizes.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet met on Monday (Sept 5) to discuss a notice of motion from Cllr Alistair Cameron in which he said he was concerned for the ‘welfare’ of those animals.

Cabinet member Cllr Jon Harvey added that there was ‘no place’ in the 21st century for pets being given as prizes.

Cllr Cameron said: “If you do have a pet, you have a responsibility for the welfare of the pet and even in the case of goldfish you need to provide a proper aqauarium and that doesn’t really sit well with the practice of having pets as prizes.

“It’s not an issue for Pembrokeshire County Council at present but it might be in the future when he have an application for a fair or a fete where pets might be provided as a prize.

“I think we do need to have a clear policy on this and I think we need to be writing to the Welsh Government expressing our opposition to pets as prizes because they do have the powers to legislate in this area.”

Cllr Jon Harvey said: “I’m very supportive of the recommendation, I’d like to thank Cllr Cameron for bringing this notice of motion forward.

“There is no place, as far as I am concerned, in the 21st century for pets being given as prizes in any form, so I’m more than happy to move the recommendations.”

Cllr Harvey called for a third recommendation, that the council write to all town and community councils requesting their support for an outright ban.

That was supported and all recommendations were approved unanimously.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Cameron, said: “I am delighted that Cabinet has backed my Notice of Motion that an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes in any form is implemented on Council land.

“I’m also pleased the Council will write to the Welsh Government requesting an outright ban on both public and private land across Wales and I hope that the move taken by this Council will increase the likelihood of a total ban across the country.

“Animal ownership is a big responsibility that needs to be planned and well-thought out, in order to help provide the best quality of life for that animal – not a spur of the moment event resulting from a game. There is no place in the 21^st century for pets being given as prizes.”

RSPCA Cymru’s public affairs manager, Chris O’Brien, said: “We are delighted that Pembrokeshire County Council has taken this action, which really highlights how important animal welfare is to local representatives and their constituents.

“It is also fantastic that the council is going to write to the Welsh Government to encourage them to consider an all-Wales ban; and will also be writing to their local town and community councils to also encourage them to adopt bans on their land too – which is a great proposal.

“There’s huge momentum behind this campaign; and that’s in no small part to our amazing supporters who have urged their local Council and Councillors to act in such jaw-dropping numbers.

“Many people are quite shocked when they hear that giving fish and other pets as prizes isn’t already banned – so we hope that we can continue to raise awareness and hope the local authorities who are contacted as part of this campaign listen to their constituents and take action promptly.”

Chris added: “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.”

The RSPCA continues to make the case to both the Welsh Government and UK Government that pets being given away as prizes should be banned outright, and that national legislation in both countries is ultimately a requirement.

Related Topics:County Council pembrokeshire pets RSPCA

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Blue sea creatures wash up on Welsh beaches including Tenby

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to Welsh beaches have been warned not to touch unusual blue sea creatures which have washed ashore along parts of the coastline.

Hundreds of velella velella, commonly known as by-the-wind sailors, have been reported on beaches in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby.

The small, bright blue marine creatures are free-floating hydrozoans and are related to Portuguese man o’ war, sea anemones and corals.

They get their name from a small sail-like structure on their body, which catches the wind and carries them across the surface of the sea.

One was spotted on Tenby South Beach on Tuesday (Jun 16), where beachgoer Maxine Allinson described it as “fantastic” and “like a crystal”.

Marine experts say the creatures are often seen after changes in currents or stormy weather, which can push large numbers ashore at the same time.

Although they are much smaller and less dangerous than Portuguese man o’ war, they do have stinging cells.

Their sting is usually mild, but people are being advised not to pick them up, especially as contact with the face, lips or sensitive skin could cause pain or tingling.

Experts also warn that the stinging cells can remain active even after the creatures appear to be dead on the beach.

The advice is to admire them from a safe distance and leave them where they are.

Caption: Maxine Allinson spotted a velella velella on Tenby South beach Tuesday

Local Government

Mayor to hold drop-in session for Haverfordwest residents

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST residents will have the chance to raise ideas, concerns and local issues directly with the town’s mayor this week.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner will hold a Talk to Your Mayor session on Thursday, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm.

The initiative is aimed at giving residents an opportunity to speak directly with the mayor about matters affecting the town and wider community.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said communication and engagement were “vital”, adding that the session was about listening to local people, working together, and ensuring every voice had the opportunity to be heard.

Anyone wishing to book an appointment is asked to contact the Haverfordwest Town Council town clerk.

The mayor said: “Together, we can continue building a stronger and more connected community. Together we can make Haverfordwest the best in the west.”

News

Senedd rejects Reform call to end Welsh Government international spending

Published

5 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE SENEDD has rejected a Reform UK motion calling for an end to all Welsh Government international spending, after a heated debate which saw several Members walk out of the chamber.

The motion, tabled by Reform MS Llŷr Powell, was defeated by 48 votes to 37 on Wednesday (Jun 17).

An amended motion, backing Wales’ reputation as an “internationalist, tolerant and outward-looking nation”, was then passed by the same margin.

The debate followed warnings from Hub Cymru Africa and other campaigners that ending international spending would damage Wales’ global reputation and undermine projects linking Welsh communities with partners overseas.

Reform argued that Welsh Government money should be focused on domestic pressures, including the NHS, schools, transport and the cost of living.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar backed the Reform motion, saying foreign relations and international development were matters for the UK Government rather than Cardiff Bay.

But Plaid Cymru and Welsh Government speakers rejected that argument, saying Wales’ international work supported trade, public services, education, health partnerships and the country’s reputation abroad.

The debate became heated after comments by Reform MS Joe Martin, who criticised overseas schemes including beekeeping and tree-planting projects in Uganda.

Several MSs left the Siambr during his contribution, with the Llywydd later urging Members to reflect on the tone of the debate.

Hub Cymru Africa had said before the vote that Wales’ international solidarity budget represented a tiny fraction of overall spending and helped deliver work in public health, climate action, women’s empowerment and sustainable development.

The organisation said the vote was an opportunity for the Senedd to reaffirm Wales’ place in the world.