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Wrexham third council to say 'pets aren't prizes'
Having pets as prizes encourages owners to take on pets spontaneously.

Discussions with RSPCA advance initiative to end ‘outdated practice’

Wrexham Council has become the third council in Wales to ban the giving of pets as prizes on its land. Action follows discussions with RSPCA Cymru and is another step in the organisation’s bid to instate a country-wide ban on the practice. Wrexham Council joins Caerphilly and Newport in enacting the policy.

The ban means that Wrexham council will not grant licences to anyone planning on giving pets as prizes, including in the town centre and at local fairs. This practice has been commonplace in many areas for decades and can be detrimental to the welfare of the animals being given away.

A total of 24 incidents in Wales were reported to the RSPCA’s emergency line between 2014 and 2018. 60 per cent of these calls were related to goldfish.

Lewis Clark, RSPCA public affairs adviser, said: “The RSPCA is absolutely delighted that Wrexham Council has become the third local authority in Wales to ban the giving of pets as prizes.

“Sadly, we know many pets won as prizes will die before getting back to their new homes, or shortly after. Ultimately, having animals as prizes like this actively encourages owners to take on pets in a spontaneous, ill-planned manner. This is an outdated practice that we need to see the back of in Wales.”

Amanda Davies, town centre, markets and events manager from Wrexham Council, adds: “We are more than happy to be part of this initiative by ensuring that no one who puts on any event on council owned land in the town centre gives away pets as prizes. 



“We’ve done this informally for some time and are very pleased that this is now a formal arrangement and part of our conditions of use. The practice is outdated and it’s not what visitors to the town centre want to see happening.”

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.