Statement by the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith
As the animal welfare sector marks World Spay Day today, the City of Cape Town is throwing its weight behind the Cape Animal Welfare Forum’s (CAWF) drive to home more pets, but also raising awareness about responsible pet ownership.
As patron of the CAWF and the Mayoral Committee Member responsible for oversight of the City’s Law Enforcement Department which is tasked with the enforcement of the Animal By-Law, animal welfare is one of the many pressing issues that deserve attention.
Cape Town has a booming animal population as the many appeals for pet adoption attest to, but also the many litters of puppies and kittens that are born each year often with no real prospect of a loving home or secure future.
The City deals with animal welfare matters on a number of fronts:
The Animal By-law stipulates the number of pets that any one person may keep, as well as the conditions under which those pets must be kept;
It further empowers Law Enforcement to act on nuisance complaints as well as dog attacks; To take action in conjunction with animal welfare agencies in cases of animal cruelty;
To impound animals that are deemed dangerous or are being abused;
Encourages pet registration via the City’s website to help keep a record of Cape Town’s pet population
Runs an online pet finder tool, to help reunite pet owners with their furry friends: http://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/LostPetsOnline/Pages/Home.aspx
Funds mass animal sterilisation campaigns that are conducted by various animal welfare agencies under the umbrella of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum. The City has paid for a total of 10 376 pet sterilization procedures since 2013
Since the beginning of the year, the Law Enforcement Department has impounded 89 animals and issued 31 notices for contravention of the Animal By-Law, totaling R25 600. They’ve also attended to 92 complaints and opened 41 dockets for further investigation.
Many of the complaints and concerns around animal welfare emanate from how we as humans treat them.
The City will therefore partner with the CAWF this year and help spread awareness on pertinent issues around responsible pet ownership, like ensuring that pets are spayed to prevent unwanted litters; keeping only the recommended number of pets, as outlined in the Animal By-Law; ensuring that pets do not roam the streets, posing a risk to others, but also being at risk of harm themselves; and making sure that they are properly cared for, fed and up to date with their vaccinations.
We will also be supporting an adoption drive in the run up to World Animal Day on 4 October and I call on Capetonians to open their hearts and homes to a four-legged friend or two, if it is within their means, and if they can honour the commitment to offer a lifelong home and companion to a dog or cat in need.
Source: City Of Cape Town