City makes another investment in animal health and welfare

25 August 2026

The Mass Animal Sterilisation Project (MASP), in partnership with the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF), has seen more than 19 000 animals sterilised since the first collaboration in 2013. This year, the project heads to subcouncil 11, which includes suburbs like Manenberg, Hanover Park, Athlone and Heideveld.

Since 2013, 19 376 dogs and cats have been sterilised at a cost of just under R9 million.

The City funds the initiative, which is spearheaded by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on behalf of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF).

The MASP aims to:

• prevent unwanted litters
• minimise the incidence of animal cruelty and abuse
• improve general standards of animal health and husbandry, thereby improving the health and welfare of people.
• encourage responsible pet care and ownership through humane education

Areas covered over the past 13 years have included Dunoon, Brown's Farm, Khayelitsha, Wesbank, Atlantis, Wallacedene, Tafelsig, the Deep South, Macassar and Eerste River.

The areas are identified by the animal welfare sector.

The City has once again made available R850 000 in funding for this year’s campaign in subcouncil 11. 

‘I am so pleased to see the ever-growing reach of this initiative and I want to encourage residents to please participate, for the health of their pets, and the health of their communities. Sterilisation isn’t simply about reducing stray or unwanted litters; it also improves the health of pets and reduces roaming and aggression. To our animal welfare partners, thank you for the continued collaboration on this campaign, but also the work you do daily, under very trying circumstances, to advocate for the well-being of animals. I look forward to yet another successful sterilisation drive,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

Seven registered animal welfare organisations will collectively sterilise 1 500 domestic pets, starting in September.

They are the Animal Anti Cruelty League, Animal Rescue Organisation, Animal Welfare Society of South Africa, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Manenberg Pets, People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) and Vetsol.

‘As we join together for another proactive sterilisation campaign funded by the City, CAWF members send grateful thanks for the opportunity to create meaningful change and upliftment in the lives of animals whose owners depend on welfare support,’ said CAWF Chairperson, Karen de Klerk.

‘Sterilisation is preventive, or 'upstream', work. It prevents the litters that would otherwise arrive at our gates as strays, surrenders and cruelty cases, and reduces pressure on our shelter, our hospital and our downstream inspectorate work. We are grateful to the City of Cape Town for continuing to invest in sterilisation. This reduces future pressure on welfare services while supporting both animal and human health,’ said Mqabuko Moyo Ndukwana, CEO of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

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