The City of Cape Town has called on the public to comment on its proposed amendments to the Animal Keeping By-Law. The amendments include the regulation of circuses, authorising law enforcement officers to seize animals kept in contravention of the by-law, stricter regulations around working animals and a dedicated section for animal inspectors to enforce the by-law.
This comes after the City’s Animal Control Unit responded to over 9,000 calls during the last financial year, for matters including Animals on the roadway, stray livestock and dogs, vicious dogs and neglect/cruelty or injury to animals.
Safety and Security Portfolio Committee chairperson, Mzwakhe Nqavashe, says the by-law aims to help protect public health and safety by setting out the rules for vaccination, quarantine and the treatment of animals. It also includes the regulation of public spaces, such as animals on leashes to keep residents safe.
“There is no doubt that Cape Town is a caring city as witnessed by the thousands of complaints we receive annually about animal abuse, cruelty, neglect and genuine concern. How we treat our most vulnerable furry, and non-furry friends, is a reflection of our values,” said Nqavashe
The amendments to the by-law include:
- Prohibition on the use of animals for hunting
- Prohibition on the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses
- Prohibition on the use of and sale of any adhesive or glue trap, board or any other adhesive trapping device
- Stronger regulation around the use of working animals like security dogs and cart horses; for example, working animals may not work in temperatures greater than 30 degrees Celsius and ensuring the working animals have a rest break at least every hour with access to drinking water
- Better clarity around stray animals and the pound period being reduced from 10 days to seven days for small animals and 30 days to 21 days for large animals.
- Duties of a pound master have been included
- Better clarity is given on nuisance animals and incorporating a mediation mechanism to resolve such issues
- Better clarity around permits
- Better clarity around the keeping of dangerous animals
- Prohibition on interfering with, causing damage or harm, harassing or disturbing wild animals
- Updated standards and requirements on the keeping of animals, operating a commercial kennel or cattery and keeping of large and small livestock, poultry, birds and rabbits.
- Update to the keeping of bees
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has, however, said that the misleading claims circulating online regarding the Animal Keeping By-law amendments have created unnecessary fear among pet owners. It added that suggestions that residents will have to “pay to own a dog,” that microchipping will be compulsory, or that officials can enter any home without justification do not fairly reflect either the draft or the existing municipal regulatory framework.
Spokesperson Belinda Abraham says one of the most significant misconceptions is that the draft introduces an entirely new system of permits and controls over dogs and cats.
“Cape Town has had an Animal Keeping By-law for many years, and the current one has been in place since 2021. Many provisions now being presented online as new or alarming already appear in the current gazetted by-law.”
Abraham says the current draft reorganises and updates the municipal regulatory framework, clarifies requirements and introduces provisions that can support better animal-welfare outcomes. The SPCA added that it is misleading to take an existing requirement, quote it without reference to the 2021 by-law and present it as a new attempt to tax or control pet owners.
The public comment period closes on 29 September 2026.
