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 3
3. Keeping of cats
(1) Subject to sections 4(1) and 5(1), no person may keep more than –
(a) four cats, or allow more than four cats, over the age of six months to be kept on any residential premises;
(b) six cats, or allow more than six cats, over the age of six months, to be kept on an agricultural property.
(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 cats;
(b) is the owner or manager of, or person in charge of, a pet shop and who has written proof that all cats 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 holder of a permit to keep kennels or catteries;
(d) is the owner or manager of a veterinary clinic;
(e) operates a pound.
(3) A person whose permit to keep a cat has been cancelled or who has previously had a cat removed from his or her care or has a previous criminal conviction or civil judgment against him or her in respect of a cat in his or her care, may not keep a cat, unless the City determines otherwise.
(4) No person shall keep any cat which is not fitted with a collar and name tag with the contact details of the owner or is not microchipped. The microchip must be registered in the name of the owner with a telephone number.
(5) A person who keeps a cat that is older than six months must apply to the City for a permit in respect of every cat.
(a) The application 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 cat concerned.
(1) Subject to sections 4(1) and 5(1), no person may keep more than –
(a) four cats, or allow more than four cats, over the age of six months to be kept on any residential premises;
(b) six cats, or allow more than six cats, over the age of six months, to be kept on an agricultural property.
(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 cats;
(b) is the owner or manager of, or person in charge of, a pet shop and who has written proof that all cats 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 holder of a permit to keep kennels or catteries;
(d) is the owner or manager of a veterinary clinic;
(e) operates a pound.
(3) A person whose permit to keep a cat has been cancelled or who has previously had a cat removed from his or her care or has a previous criminal conviction or civil judgment against him or her in respect of a cat in his or her care, may not keep a cat, unless the City determines otherwise.
(4) No person shall keep any cat which is not fitted with a collar and name tag with the contact details of the owner or is not microchipped. The microchip must be registered in the name of the owner with a telephone number.
(5) A person who keeps a cat that is older than six months must apply to the City for a permit in respect of every cat.
(a) The application 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 cat 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