The City’s Animal Control Unit reported a significant increase in animal impoundment this fiscal year, as well as ongoing complaints about stray animals, barking and aggressive behaviour.
The City has reminded residents that it is their responsibility not only to control the animals in their care but also to ensure their well-being.
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The Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit seized 1 926 animals, including dogs, cats and livestock, between July 2022 and the end of March 2023, compared to 554 during the same period the previous year.
Animals are impounded for a variety of reasons, including being involved in an attack on another animal or person, being deemed stray or roaming in areas where they pose a danger to themselves and others, such as roadways.
‘The statistics are absolutely staggering and place an immense burden on our Animal Control Unit, but also on the animal welfare organisations where the animals are taken for safekeeping, said the Chairperson of the City’s Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe. ‘If they are not claimed by their owners or rehomed, euthanasia is an unfortunate last resort. This is not fair to our animal population, who deserve far better from us.’
Public responsibility
The number of dogs or cats that can be kept is limited by the City’s Animal Keeping By-law, depending on the type and size of the property.
- Flat or apartment duplex: Two dogs and four cats
- Houses smaller than 600m²: Three dogs and four cats
- Houses larger than 600m²: Four dogs and four cats
- Agricultural property: Six dogs and six cats
The by-law also requires pets to be registered with the city and sterilised by the age of six months unless an exemption is granted in accordance with the by-law.
‘The registration of pets is completely free and can be done via our online portal. Registering your pets 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 and register their pets via this page.
Until further notice, applications for sterilisation exemptions can be directed to [email protected].
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