The Community Services and Health Directorate first disbursed Grant-in-Aid funding to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in 2013 for a pilot mass pet sterilisation project in Dunoon and Brown’s Farm. Ten years later, nearly 15 000 domestic pets have been sterilised at a cost of just over R6,3 million.
The recent campaign in September 2022 concentrated on the areas of Hout Bay, Masiphumele and Ocean View. It concluded in February 2023, with 1 500 animals sterilised.
The funding is disbursed to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, but several animal welfare organisations which are members of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF) assisted in the campaign, namely the:
· Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL)
· Animal Rescue Organisation (ARO)
· Animal Welfare Society Philippi (AWS-P)
· Domestic Animal Rescue Group (DARG)
· ENVIROVET CVC
· People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA)
· TEARS
This brings the total number of sterilisations since the start of the project in 2013, to 14 842 in areas identified by the CAWF.
To date, these areas are Dunoon, Brown’s Farm, Khayelitsha, Wesbank, Atlantis, Wallacedene, Bloekombos, Tafelsig, and most recently, the deep South.
‘We are deeply indebted to our animal welfare sector for the success in rolling out the mass animal sterilisation project. How we care for our animals says a lot about a society, and this project is about so much more than just the surgical procedures involved and reducing unwanted litters. The animal welfare sector also conducts education and awareness sessions about responsible pet ownership. It is critical that we all understand that healthy pets mean healthy communities,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
Among the benefits of sterilisation are reducing the number of stray cats and dogs that are euthanised annually, decreasing the burden on already over-crowded animal shelters and reducing the number of unwanted and neglected animals.
A new application was submitted to the Grant-in-Aid committee in March for funding to the value of R748 676 for a project in Eersteriver, Faure and Macassar – subject to Council approval.
‘The City will continue to work closely with animal welfare organisations and we thank each and every person who has had a hand in the success of the project over the past ten years. If we all support these campaigns, we will collectively build a healthier urban environment,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.
