Wales councils ban giving pets as prizes

No more winning animals is a win for all

There’s growing recognition of fish sentience – of fish as living creatures who deserve a good life – and councils are now doing their part to prevent unnecessary suffering. 

We’re committed to ending the practice of giving live animals away as prizes and campaigning until every council has taken action. 

We hope that more councils take action and work together to see nationwide bans to prevent the practice entirely – including both council-owned and private-owned land – in the hopes that soon, it will be illegal to give goldfish and other animals as prizes.

Pets aren’t prizes

We’ve come a long way already:

• Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it’s an offence to enter into an arrangement with a person reasonably believed to be under 16, who is not accompanied by an adult, whereby an animal is to be won as a prize.
• In Scotland, it's an offence in almost all circumstances to give an animal away as a prize to anyone, regardless of age.

We’re close to ending the cruel practice entirely. With your continual support, we can stop animals being given as rewards in England, too.

England, now it’s your turn

Thank you to the incredible animal advocates who made this change possible – because of you, there are goldfish and other pets across Wales now treated as sentient beings – not as prizes. 

But there’s still work to be done. 

So far, over 160 councils in England have banned pets as prizes – but many more need to take action. With your help, we could reel in more support than ever. 

Ask your council to ban pets as prizes today. 

Email your local councillor