Important information for people with pets in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town’s new draft Animal Keeping By-law will have a direct impact on animal owners and the broader community.

This, City of Cape Town councillor Pieter Jansen van Vuuren said, is why residents should take part in the public participation process.

“The proposed legislation will have a direct impact on animal owners and the broader community and aims to grant law enforcement officers greater powers,” he said.

“The draft by-law on the keeping of animals is a comprehensive revision of the Municipality’s existing animal-related legislation.”

He explained that it imposes stricter obligations on owners and consolidates provisions that previously fell under the public nuisance category.

Private owners, animal carers, breeders, pet shops, pet salons and even animal day-care centres will be affected by the regulations.

“The draft by-law provides for limitations on the number of animals that may be kept on a property as well as compulsory microchipping of animals,” he said.

Dogs must be kept on a leash in all public spaces, except in clearly designated free running areas.

He added that a prohibition is proposed on the online sale of animals without a valid breeder’s permit.

Jansen van Vuuren said the new bylaws propose reducing the time a lost animal is impounded before rehoming.

The new draft Animal Keeping By-law also suggests making it easier for law enforcement officers to enter premises with a warrant and seize animals.

Van Vuuren said that the Freedom Front Plus believes that animal welfare and public order go hand in hand.

However, he warned against excessive regulation that needlessly burdens law-abiding residents without improving the Municipality’s capacity to enforce the rules.

“Civic participation is essential to ensure that the final by-law strikes a balance between community interests, animal protection and the rights of animal owners,” he said.

Cape Town’s proposed Animal Keeping By-Law, 2026

Cape Town’s draft Animal Keeping By-Law, 2026, created outrage online due to concerns that it may result in a new tax on pet owners in the city.

The most controversial point relates to dog and cat owners, which, according to the existing bylaws and the amendments, would require permits for their pets.

“A person who keeps a dog that is older than six months must apply to the City for a permit in respect of every dog,” it states.

“The application must be accompanied by the prescribed permit fee as set out in the City’s tariff of charges.

Alderman Mzwakhe Nqavashe, the chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee in Cape Town, provided clarity.

He confirmed that residents with pets over six months old are required to register them and that it is not optional or encouraged.

“It is required, as has been pointed out several times, and pet owners must register their pets,” Nqavashe said.

“It is already a requirement in the previous Animal Keeping By-Law 2021, so this is not something new.”

“You register your pet online on the City’s website, the permit is generated, and while the bylaw prescribes a fee, none is charged.”

Nqavashe highlighted that, where there is a provision for a fee, it can be implemented legally. So, although it is free now, there can be a fee in future.

He also clarified that claims that the draft gives officials unrestricted power to enter any home and confiscate animals without a warrant are incorrect.

“Section 41 of the draft provides that an authorised official may enter premises with the consent of the owner or occupier,” he said.

“Where consent is refused, the official may apply to a magistrate for an entry warrant or a search-and-seizure warrant.”

He pointed out that the existing 2021 Animal Keeping By-Law already provides for warrantless searches in specified circumstances.

“The draft consolidates and clarifies the procedures governing these powers,” Nqavashe said.