The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is urging all Cape Town residents to take part in the public participation process on the City’s new draft Animal Keeping By-law.
The proposed legislation will have a direct impact on animal owners and the broader community, and aims to grant greater powers to law enforcement officers.
The draft by-law on the keeping of animals is a comprehensive revision of the Municipality’s existing animal-related legislation.
It imposes stricter obligations on owners and consolidates provisions that previously fell under public nuisances — such as persistent barking noise and odour pollution.
Private owners, animal carers, breeders, pet shops, pet salons and even animal day-care centres will be affected by the regulations. Among other things, the draft by-law provides for strict limitations on the number of animals that may be kept on a property as well as compulsory microchipping of animals.
Dogs must be kept on a leash in all public spaces, except in clearly designated free running areas. A prohibition is proposed on the online sale of animals without a valid breeder’s permit.
In addition, it is proposed that the time a lost animal is impounded before rehoming should be reduced, and that a formalised process be implemented to make it easier for law enforcement officers to enter premises with a warrant and seize animals.
The Freedom Front Plus believes that animal welfare and public order go hand in hand but warns 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 fair balance between community interests, animal protection and the rights of animal owners.
The official deadline for public input is 29 September 2026.
Residents can submit their comments and objections in writing via the City of Cape Town’s official public participation portal or via email to Animal.bylaw@capetown.gov.za.
https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/newsandnotices/Home/Release/Comment-on-the-City-s-draft-Animal-Keeping-By-law?category=Issues%20open%20for%20public%20comment
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