MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / World Spay Day: Love Your Pet

World Spay Day: Love Your Pet

FOUR PAWS reminds us how responsible pet ownership can curb pet overpopulation and shelter overcrowding.

Cape Town, 16 February 2026 – Global animal welfare group, FOUR PAWS is challenging the nation to turn February into a month of action and compassion. With Love Your Pet Day on 20 February and World Spay Day on 24 February, the organisation calls on every community to make sterilisation the priority for responsible pet care.

South Africa faces a pet homelessness crisis:
• It is estimated that 22% of the country’s 18.6 million cats and dogs are homeless – That’s 4.05 million animals living on the streets.
• In Cape Town alone, the SPCA processed 23,621 animals in 2024, many surrendered or abandoned due to unplanned litters.

“Sterilisation is not just a veterinary procedure, it’s a community solution,” says Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa. “From townships to suburbs, every spay and neuter helps break the cycle of suffering. Loving your pet should be more than treats, it’s about protecting lives.”

Why this matters for every community
• The reality is free-roaming dogs and cats multiply quickly, leading to disease risks and strain on local welfare groups.
• Shelters are overwhelmed, and adoption rates can’t keep up with intake.
• Sterilised pets live longer, healthier lives and are less likely to roam or fight.

Call to Action:
• Support community sterilisation drives.
• Partner with local NGOs to make sterilisation accessible.
• Encourage vets to offer discounted spay/neuter packages during February.
• Share FOUR PAWS’ myth-busting guide to educate pet owners.
• Advocate for responsible pet ownership laws like microchipping, sterilisation and vaccination.

For more information, please visit our website at www.four-paws.org.za

Author: Deidre Daniels from .

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Re: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims Prize in Gqeberha

    Dear Editor This is indeed an exciting story for the community. Congratulations to the winner and may this bring positive change to Nomathamsanqa. As someone from KwaMashu, I understand the impact such winnings can have on township communities. Wishing the grandfather all the best. Regards Themba Zulu In Response to/From: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims…

  • Re: Minister Tolashe and Postbank Black Cards

    Dear Editor I appreciate the Minister’s assurance regarding the smooth transition to Postbank Black Cards for grant beneficiaries. As a concerned citizen, I hope the government will ensure that all beneficiaries, especially elderly and vulnerable populations in areas like Soweto, receive adequate assistance during this transition period. The expansion of card replacement locations to include…

  • Lotto Winner Story

    Dear Editor This is indeed an exciting story for the community. Congratulations to the winner and may this bring positive change to Nomathamsanqa. Regards Willem Pieterse In Response to/From: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims Prize in Gqeberha

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. South Africa is such a great country and an African Sunset is on my bucket list, do you have any accommodation and/or tour recommendations for the Cape Town Area?

  2. The quickest means of communication is to trust a girl with a rumor and then make her vow not to tell