Christmas has arrived early for the thousands of animals in the Cape Metro with the gift of mandatory sterilisation for all cats and dogs over six months of age.
It is now unlawful to not have your cats or dogs over this age sterilised in the city of Cape Town, which comes after the gazetting of the Animal Keeping By-Law of 2021.
The new by-law stipulates that “keeping, breeding, or selling any animal within the scope of business or economic activities” requires authorisation in the form of a permit from the City.
This eagerly anticipated and hotly debated new and improved Animal Keeping By-Law speaks to several omissions in all earlier versions the most glaring of which was mandatory pet sterilisation that has always been considered an elective procedure.
The by-law affords enforcement officers and our Inspectors a lot more “bite than bark”.
“We envisage it being policed on a pro-active basis and enforced on a re-active basis with guilty parties facing possible imprisonment and/or hefty fines”, says the Animal Welfare Society of SA.
In their experience that spans over 90 years, there are few if any animal welfare interventions that have a greater beneficial impact than mass pet sterilisation programmes as they continue the battle against the scourge of animal overpopulation and cruelty – so this is very welcome news and should be seen as one of the greatest gifts the City of Cape Town has ever given its significant pet population.
“It represents a triumph for all animal lovers and animal welfare professionals and we are confident that this world-class legislation will be warmly welcomed by all enlightened pet owners”, the Animal Welfare Society of SA concluded.
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Picture/s: Supplied