City zooms in on animal welfare

17 March 2025

The City’s domestic animal survey is officially under way. The survey – a first of its kind in the metropole - aims to develop a baseline on the animal population to inform future planning and resourcing around animal welfare.

The domestic animal survey is the latest in a series of interventions undertaken by the City administration to promote and ensure the welfare of animals in the metropole.

Already well established are the by-laws around animal keeping and a dedicated Animal Control Unit within Law Enforcement; City funding for more than a decade of mass sterilisation campaigns undertaken by the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF); the establishment of an anti-dog fighting task team and a memorandum of understanding on the impoundment of dangerous animals/animals in distress.

The survey aims to give officials a handle on the extent of Cape Town’s domestic animal population. It is happening in collaboration with the animal welfare sector.

Over a period of six weeks, pet owners, but also the public at large, will have an opportunity to participate in the survey.

It can be completed online at https://bit.ly/4bPScdI

Alternatively, teams of field workers will criss-cross communities to conduct in-person surveys.

‘The City’s continued investment in animal welfare is driven by the understanding that healthy animal populations are critical to public health and safety. We have done a lot of good work in this space, but there is always room for improvement. With this survey, we will be able to develop a better understanding of animal care and trends, as well as the approximate size of the population. This, in turn, will help determine whether our existing measures are sufficient, or how we need to pivot in the future around funding, legislation and any other support to the animal welfare sector,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The survey will seek to determine the type and number of animals per household, their vaccination and sterilisation status and the type of animal care sought when they fall ill, i.e. private or NGO.

Field workers conducting the in-person surveys will carry identification cards when visiting properties. Residents can contact the City’s Customer Call Centre on 0860 103 089 to verify a staff member’s credentials, if need be.

The City has also set up a toll-free number for general queries or concerns about the survey – 0800 212 176, available weekdays between 08:00 and 16:00.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office