The goldfish scandal

How many parents find themselves forced to house one or more goldfish after a fair or festival where their child won this prize?

Yet, the law is very clear about the prohibition of this practice.

The rural code (Art. 214-4) states that:
“The awarding as a prize or bonus of any living animal, except farm animals, during festivals, fairs, sporting, folkloric, and traditional local events, contests, and agricultural events is prohibited.”

Another paragraph of this same article (214-7) even prohibits their sale:
“The transfer, free or paid, of dogs, cats, and other pets [such as goldfish] is prohibited at fairs, markets, flea markets, shows, exhibitions, or any other events not specifically dedicated to animals.”

Even at a market, the sale of domestic animals is prohibited.
Because veterinary services are not able to control the conditions in which animals are kept in these temporary locations.

Despite this legislation, goldfish are still very regularly given away as prizes at certain fairs.

While schools are gradually stopping this practice at their end-of-year festivals, there are still many cases, often due to ignorance of the rules.
There is still time to act to inform the schools in your area and remind them of this formal prohibition before the end-of-month festivals.

A living being should never be given away as a prize when its adoption was not desired, carefully considered, and prepared, when nothing is known about the animal’s needs, and when one is sometimes unable to meet them.

The example of the goldfish, which requires a suitably sized pond or at least a very large aquarium, is a typical case: the most massively mistreated pet in France is the goldfish (several million per year).

The more of us who know the law and remind others everywhere, the faster this outdated practice will disappear from our fairs, festivals, and markets.

A life is worth a life, and a goldfish has the right to its own.