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 2
2. Keeping of dogs
(1) Subject to sections 4(1) and 5(1), no person may keep more than –
(a) two dogs, or allow more than two dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept in or at a dwelling unit;
(b) three dogs, or allow more than three dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept in or at a dwelling house;
(c) four dogs, or allow more than four dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept in or at a large dwelling house;
(d) six dogs, or allow more than six dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept on an agricultural property; or
(e) three dogs, or allow more than three dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept on at any other premises.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any person who-
(a) is the holder of a permit issued in terms of section 4 to keep a greater number of dogs;
(b) is the owner or manager of, or person in charge of, a pet shop and who has written proof that all dogs under his or her control have received the vaccinations required in terms of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984), as well as such preventative vaccinations as may be recommended by the South African Veterinary Council or a veterinarian;
(c) is the owner or manager of, or person in charge of, a premises where animals are being kept for training and where such animals are kept or trained under the auspices of a registered animal association;
(d) is the owner or is in charge of premises where guide dogs are being kept or trained and such guide dogs are kept or trained under auspices of the SA Guide Dogs Association;
(e) is the owner or manager of a veterinary clinic;
(f) is in charge of dogs, and equine owned by the Metropolitan Police Department of the City, the South African Police Service or the South African Defence Force, and are kept for operational purposes; or
(g) operates a pound.
(3) A person whose permit to keep a dog has been cancelled or who has previously had a dog removed from his or her care or has a previous criminal conviction or civil judgment against him or her in respect of a dog in his or her care, may not keep a dog, unless the City determines otherwise.
(4) No person shall keep any dog which is not fitted with a collar and name tag with a contact number or address of the owner, or which is not microchipped. The microchip must be registered in the name of the owner with a telephone number and physical address.
(5) A person who keeps a dog that is older than six months must apply to the City for a permit in respect of every dog.
(6) The application in terms of subsection (5) must be accompanied by the prescribed permit fee as set out in the City’s tariff of charges, as well as a valid rabies inoculation certificate held in respect of the dog concerned.
(1) Subject to sections 4(1) and 5(1), no person may keep more than –
(a) two dogs, or allow more than two dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept in or at a dwelling unit;
(b) three dogs, or allow more than three dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept in or at a dwelling house;
(c) four dogs, or allow more than four dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept in or at a large dwelling house;
(d) six dogs, or allow more than six dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept on an agricultural property; or
(e) three dogs, or allow more than three dogs, over the age of six months, to be kept on at any other premises.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any person who-
(a) is the holder of a permit issued in terms of section 4 to keep a greater number of dogs;
(b) is the owner or manager of, or person in charge of, a pet shop and who has written proof that all dogs under his or her control have received the vaccinations required in terms of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984), as well as such preventative vaccinations as may be recommended by the South African Veterinary Council or a veterinarian;
(c) is the owner or manager of, or person in charge of, a premises where animals are being kept for training and where such animals are kept or trained under the auspices of a registered animal association;
(d) is the owner or is in charge of premises where guide dogs are being kept or trained and such guide dogs are kept or trained under auspices of the SA Guide Dogs Association;
(e) is the owner or manager of a veterinary clinic;
(f) is in charge of dogs, and equine owned by the Metropolitan Police Department of the City, the South African Police Service or the South African Defence Force, and are kept for operational purposes; or
(g) operates a pound.
(3) A person whose permit to keep a dog has been cancelled or who has previously had a dog removed from his or her care or has a previous criminal conviction or civil judgment against him or her in respect of a dog in his or her care, may not keep a dog, unless the City determines otherwise.
(4) No person shall keep any dog which is not fitted with a collar and name tag with a contact number or address of the owner, or which is not microchipped. The microchip must be registered in the name of the owner with a telephone number and physical address.
(5) A person who keeps a dog that is older than six months must apply to the City for a permit in respect of every dog.
(6) The application in terms of subsection (5) must be accompanied by the prescribed permit fee as set out in the City’s tariff of charges, as well as a valid rabies inoculation certificate held in respect of the dog concerned.
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