PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
City of Cape Town Draft Animal Keeping By-law
Sun, 27 September 2026
This page is part of a more easily readable version of the controversial Draft Animal Keeping By-law published for public comment until 29 September 2026. There are links below to the other 44 sections.
Comments and submissions should be emailed to animal.bylaw@capetown.gov.za
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SECTION 12
12. Animals offered for sale
(1) Any person, business, or entity engaged in the sale of animals must ensure that all animals are provided with appropriate care, food, water, shelter or protection against cold, rain, sun or wind and that their welfare is not compromised at any time.
(2) The owner or manager of any premises where animals are offered for sale must ―
(a) maintain accurate and up-to-date records of vaccinations and health status of all animals in their care; and
(b) ensure that no animal is left unattended overnight in conditions that fail to meet its welfare needs.
(3) No person or entity shall engage in the keeping, breeding, or sale of animals for business purposes or gain, without first obtaining a permit from the City.
(a) Applications must be made on the prescribed form. If the activity is to be conducted from a residential premises, substantiated comments may be required from abutting and affected residential neighbours.
(b) Such permit must be produced upon demand by an authorised official, SAPS or an animal welfare inspector.
(4) The requirement under subsection (3) extends to all commercial animal breeders and businesses engaged in the sale of animals.
(5) A formal application for a permit must be submitted to the City and approved before commencement of the business or economic activity. The application shall include, at a minimum―
(a) a detailed description of the nature of the business or economic activity;
(b) the name and contact details of the responsible person;
(c) the physical address and description of the premises where animals will be kept, bred, or sold;
(d) where possible, the number, species, breeds, sexes, and ages of animals intended to be kept or bred;
(e) details of enclosures, housing, and their dimensions, accompanied by photographs of same;
(f) the name(s) of veterinary professionals engaged for the care of the animals; and
(g) a detailed plan outlining how the welfare needs of the animals will be met;
(6) Businesses engaged in keeping, breeding, or selling animals must maintain and make available for inspection to an authorised official or animal welfare inspector―
(a) updated records of animals kept, bred or sold, including species, breeds, sexes and ages;
(b) a list of employees, their training and qualifications relevant to animal care; and
(c) a documented care regime to care for the animals in their care, including but not limited to the date of acquisition of the animal, veterinary or medical records, permits where applicable, or any other relevant documentation.
(7) A permit issued in terms of subsection (3) by the City is location-specific, and any change of address where animals are kept will void the permit.
(8) The City may deny or revoke a permit issued in terms of subsection (3) if there is reasonable doubt regarding the ability of the business to meet the welfare needs of the animals.
(9) The City may, with immediate effect, shut down any business operating without a permit issued in terms of subsection (3) or where such permit issued in terms of subsection (3) has been revoked.
(10) Businesses must ensure that animals no longer suitable for sale, breeding, or other business activities are rehomed, sent to an animal shelter, or placed in a sanctuary wherever possible.11) Animals may not be presented or displayed for sale in any manner that is inhumane or that compromises their welfare at pet shops or any other commercial premises.
(11) No person may, without being the holder of a valid permit issued in terms of subsection (3), sell or offer to sell an animal ―
(a) in a public street or open space;
(b) from a movable structure or vehicle;
(c) at public markets; or
(d) online or through social media platforms.
(12) It is strictly prohibited to sell, transfer or transport any animal that is suffering from irremediable injury or disease, except if being transferred or transported for medical treatment or care by a qualified veterinarian.
(13) No person shall transport an animal in any vehicle, container, or enclosure that―
(a) is unsuitable for the species or does not provide adequate space, light, ventilation, or protection or shelter; or
(b) compromises the animal’s welfare, well-being, or safety in any manner.
(1) Any person, business, or entity engaged in the sale of animals must ensure that all animals are provided with appropriate care, food, water, shelter or protection against cold, rain, sun or wind and that their welfare is not compromised at any time.
(2) The owner or manager of any premises where animals are offered for sale must ―
(a) maintain accurate and up-to-date records of vaccinations and health status of all animals in their care; and
(b) ensure that no animal is left unattended overnight in conditions that fail to meet its welfare needs.
(3) No person or entity shall engage in the keeping, breeding, or sale of animals for business purposes or gain, without first obtaining a permit from the City.
(a) Applications must be made on the prescribed form. If the activity is to be conducted from a residential premises, substantiated comments may be required from abutting and affected residential neighbours.
(b) Such permit must be produced upon demand by an authorised official, SAPS or an animal welfare inspector.
(4) The requirement under subsection (3) extends to all commercial animal breeders and businesses engaged in the sale of animals.
(5) A formal application for a permit must be submitted to the City and approved before commencement of the business or economic activity. The application shall include, at a minimum―
(a) a detailed description of the nature of the business or economic activity;
(b) the name and contact details of the responsible person;
(c) the physical address and description of the premises where animals will be kept, bred, or sold;
(d) where possible, the number, species, breeds, sexes, and ages of animals intended to be kept or bred;
(e) details of enclosures, housing, and their dimensions, accompanied by photographs of same;
(f) the name(s) of veterinary professionals engaged for the care of the animals; and
(g) a detailed plan outlining how the welfare needs of the animals will be met;
(6) Businesses engaged in keeping, breeding, or selling animals must maintain and make available for inspection to an authorised official or animal welfare inspector―
(a) updated records of animals kept, bred or sold, including species, breeds, sexes and ages;
(b) a list of employees, their training and qualifications relevant to animal care; and
(c) a documented care regime to care for the animals in their care, including but not limited to the date of acquisition of the animal, veterinary or medical records, permits where applicable, or any other relevant documentation.
(7) A permit issued in terms of subsection (3) by the City is location-specific, and any change of address where animals are kept will void the permit.
(8) The City may deny or revoke a permit issued in terms of subsection (3) if there is reasonable doubt regarding the ability of the business to meet the welfare needs of the animals.
(9) The City may, with immediate effect, shut down any business operating without a permit issued in terms of subsection (3) or where such permit issued in terms of subsection (3) has been revoked.
(10) Businesses must ensure that animals no longer suitable for sale, breeding, or other business activities are rehomed, sent to an animal shelter, or placed in a sanctuary wherever possible.11) Animals may not be presented or displayed for sale in any manner that is inhumane or that compromises their welfare at pet shops or any other commercial premises.
(11) No person may, without being the holder of a valid permit issued in terms of subsection (3), sell or offer to sell an animal ―
(a) in a public street or open space;
(b) from a movable structure or vehicle;
(c) at public markets; or
(d) online or through social media platforms.
(12) It is strictly prohibited to sell, transfer or transport any animal that is suffering from irremediable injury or disease, except if being transferred or transported for medical treatment or care by a qualified veterinarian.
(13) No person shall transport an animal in any vehicle, container, or enclosure that―
(a) is unsuitable for the species or does not provide adequate space, light, ventilation, or protection or shelter; or
(b) compromises the animal’s welfare, well-being, or safety in any manner.
See next section
Comments and submissions should be emailed to animal.bylaw@capetown.gov.za
Other sections
CHAPTER 1 – General Provisions
CHAPTER 2 – Keeping of Animals
CHAPTER 3 – Bee Keeping
CHAPTER 4 – Enforcement