Animal matters is a shared responsibility

09 June 2023

The City’s Animal Control Unit has seen a sharp increase in the impoundment of animals in this financial year, as well as ongoing complaints about stray animals, barking and dangerous animals. The City reminds residents that they have a responsibility to control animals in their care, but also to ensure their well-being. 

Over a nine-month period between July 2022 and end March 2023, the Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit has impounded 1 926 animals, including dogs, cats and livestock compared to 554 during the corresponding period in the previous year.

Animals are impounded under various circumstances, including where they've been involved in an attack on another animal or person, if they are deemed to be stray animals, or are roaming in areas where they present a danger to themselves and others, like roadways.

'The statistics are absolutely staggering and place an immense burden on our Animal Control Unit, but also the animal welfare organisations where the animals are taken for safekeeping. If they are not claimed by their owners, or rehomed, euthanasia is the unfortunate last resort. This is not fair to our animal population, who deserve far better from us,' said Chairperson of the City's Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.

PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY

In terms of the City's Animal Keeping By-law, there is a limitation on the number of dogs or cats that can be kept, depending on the type and size of the property.

• Flat/apartment duplex: two dogs and four cats
• House (less than 600 sq m erf): three dogs and four cats
• Houses larger than 600 sq m erf: four dogs and four cats
• Agricultural property: six dogs and six cats

The By-law also requires that pets be registered with the City, as well as mandatory sterilisation by the age of six months, unless an exemption is granted in terms of the by-law.

'The registration of pets is completely free, and can be done via our online portal. By registering your pets, it helps us set a benchmark for Cape Town's pet population, which in turn helps determine the scale of interventions and budget required for animal matters. We are also looking to expand the scope of the registration portal to include sterilisation exemption applications and applications to keep additional animals,' added Councillor Nqavashe.

To date, 134 679 pets have been registered – 100 522 dogs and 34 157 cats.

The public is encouraged to get online via PC, tablet or their cellphone and register their pets at https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Register/Pets-and-animals/Register-your-pet

Until further notice, applications for sterilisation exemptions can be directed to Llewellyn.Grove@capetown.gov.za

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office