Domestic pets in the community
Domestic pets are tamed animals kept by owners in homes and communities for companionship or pleasure. As a community, we have to respect and treat all animals properly and follow the correct procedures if a lost or stray pet is found.
Treating pets properly
All pets should be treated with respect, whether they are your own or somebody else’s.
A pet needs the following:
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To be loved and treated fairly – pets need companionship and must not be teased or harassed as this makes them distressed
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Food and clean water that is filled daily
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Plenty of space to move around (depending on the size of the pet)
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A healthy environment that is cleaned regularly of poop and fleas and ticks
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Healthcare from a registered veterinary clinic for vaccinations, regular check ups and when they are ill
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To be active in order to stay physically and mentally healthy
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Safe surroundings to make sure they can’t wander outside the premises
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Training to be able to live well in a human household and community
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Shelter to keep warm in cold weather and shade from the sun in hot weather
Remember
No person may breed, train, buy or sell an animal for the purpose of fighting another animal. It is a criminal offence to provoke an animal to attack another animal. To report any animal fighting or other animal offences, call the Public Emergency Call Centre on
021 480 7700.
Report animal cruelty
If you are worried about how someone else is treating their pet, you can report them to the SPCA via a reporting tool on their
website. Read more about animal cruelty in our
Animal Keeping By-law.
Report the unlawful sale of animals
It is illegal in terms of our
Animal Keeping By-law to sell or offer to sell an animal without permission from the City.
If you come across an unauthorised person selling animals on the street; in a public place; from a vehicle; at a public market; online or through any social media platforms you can report it to Law Enforcement on
021 596 1999 (24/7).
Dealing with aggressive pets in the community
Some pets in a community can be aggressive and this can be a risky problem to handle. Aggressive pets, especially dogs, can be dangerous if they decide to attack. It is important that you know what to do.
An aggressive pet will often show the following signs:
- Still and rigid body
- Harsh threatening sounds
- Charging a person
- Growling
- Showing teeth
- Snarling
- Snapping
- Vicious biting
- Shaking
If an animal shows aggressive signs, you should keep your distance and move out of the pet’s territory slowly whilst not making eye contact with the pet. It is always good to be calm and gentle when dealing with an aggressive pet, as hard as it may be.
If you come into contact with an aggressive pet in your neighbourhood, briefly identify the aggressive warning signs and approach with caution.
Dealing with sick pets in the community
Rabies in the community:
Rabies is a highly contagious viral disease that can be transmitted to humans through a bite or scratch from an infected animal, or from licking, if the saliva comes into contact with broken skin. Most human rabies cases are associated with infected domestic dogs, although other animals may be affected, such as jackals, mongooses and cats.
rabies prevention
If you have been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal that you think may have rabies, wash all wounds with soap or detergent and flush thoroughly for at least 15 minutes with water; apply ethanol or a similar antiseptic to prevent secondary infection; then
seek immediate medical treatment. You need to start post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible.
Find out more about rabies.
It is crucial to ensure the following:
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Monitor your pets: Keep a close eye on your pets for any signs of unusual behaviour such as aggression, excessive drooling, paralysis, or difficulty swallowing.
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Update rabies vaccinations: Ensure that your dogs' rabies vaccinations are up to date. Vaccinating your pets is the most effective way to prevent the spread of rabies and protect both your pets and your family. It is also required by law.
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Avoid stray animals: Avoid contact with stray or wild animals, and do not approach or attempt to handle any animal showing signs of aggression or illness.
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Report suspected cases: If you suspect any animal in the community may be infected with rabies, please report it to your
local state veterinarian immediately.
rabies in cape fur seals
There are currently several
confirmed cases of rabies in Cape Fur Seals. If you come across a seal that is behaving unusually or aggressively, move away from the animal or leave the water if you are surfing, swimming or diving. Anyone bitten by a seal must seek immediate medical assistance. Report seal attacks/bites immediately to the City at 021 480 7700.
Dealing with your sick pets:
Much like aggressive pets, dealing with sick pets can be difficult too. Often, sick pets can act strangely or become aggressive so it is important to be aware and cautious.
Signs of a sick pet:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Decreased energy levels
- Coughing
- Stiffness
- Itchy skin
- Excessive drinking or urinating
- Dry or red eyes
If a pet shows any similar signs, contact or visit a vet immediately. If you come into contact with a sick pet whose owner you do not know, approach with caution and call the City’s Animal Control Unit on
021 596 1999 (24/7, toll free),
0800 225 669 or a
Registered Animal Organisation (RAO).
Report a dead animal
The City of Cape Town disposes of unclaimed dead animals for free. We remove the carcasses on public land and roads but do not provide this service for private people or vets.
Remember
Report a dead animal: The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To report an incident, call
0860 103 089 or send a WhatsApp message to
069 192 5066.
Lost pets
If you have rescued a lost pet, check if there is a name and/or contact details provided anywhere on the animal, usually one can find an owner’s detail on a collar. Alternatively, you must take the animal to a
Registered Animal Organisation or ask that it is collected within 24 hours after rescuing it.
If you have lost your pet, please see
Find your lost pet.
Remember
Approach strange dogs with caution and be warm and friendly if trying to check if they have a collar. Call the City’s Animal Control Unit on
021 596 1999 (24/7, toll free)
0800 225 669 or a RAO if you don’t know what to do.
Register your pet
You are required to register your pets, so the City can monitor and control Cape Town’s animal population. If you would like to register your pet, then follow the process below.
Our
Animal By-law specifies how many pets you can own based on the size of your property. By registering your pet, you provide us with useful information that will help with animal welfare planning and budgeting.
Donate to the animal welfare sector
The
Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF) appreciates any donations or support towards any of the 33 charities that are registered under CAWF.
Shelters are even more vulnerable during the winter months and any donations received assist both pets and pet owners, especially in vulnerable communities.
Some examples of needed donations, include:
- Blankets
- Kennels
- Pet food (for cats and dogs)
We also need saleable household goods to support the animal charity shop, including:
- books
- clothing,
- household goods,or
- linen.
For more information on how you can help, contact the chairperson of CAWF:
Karen de Klerk
Email:
info@cawf.co.za
Quick stat
The City donated R750 000 to CAWF during the Covid-19 crisis to help CAWF supply indigent pet owners with food for their pets. The donation enabled owners to continue feeding their pets so that they were not forced, by circumstances, to abandon them to struggling animal shelters or the streets.
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