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The City of Cape Town’s first-ever Domestic Animal Survey has been launched in order to establish a “comprehensive baseline of the domestic animal population”.
The collected data will inform future planning, policies, and resource allocation for animal welfare initiatives across the city.
Over the next six weeks, pet owners and the general public are encouraged to take part in the survey online at https://bit.ly/4bPScdI, while field workers will also visit communities around the city.
The survey will gather key information from pet owners, including:
- The type and number of animals per household
- Vaccination and sterilisation status
- Where pet owners seek medical care (private vets or NGOs
“While the City has made significant strides in animal welfare, there’s always room for improvement. This survey will provide valuable insights into pet care trends, population size, and vaccination and sterilisation rates, enabling us to fine-tune our future approach,” said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
“A healthy animal population is crucial for public health and safety.”
IOL reports that the City already has several initiatives and by-laws to promote and improve animal welfare, including:
- Established by-laws on responsible pet ownership
- A dedicated Animal Control Unit within Law Enforcement
- Over a decade of City-funded mass sterilisation campaigns in partnership with the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF)
- The formation of an anti-dog fighting task team
- A memorandum of understanding for the impoundment of dangerous or distressed animals
A toll-free helpline has been set up to address any questions the public may have, and you can contact them on 0800 212 176, weekdays from 08:00 to 16:00.
Let’s just hope this doesn’t lead to the return of those old “dog licenses” our parents had to pay.
