In a ground-breaking collaborative effort, six animal welfare organisations united under the banner of “We Step In Together” to tackle the pet overpopulation crisis head-on. On 25 February, in honour of World Spay Day, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Paws-a-While, Howlelujah Foundation, TEARS, Afripaw, and Aid4Aid came together to sterilise an incredible 171 animals—92 dogs and 79 cats—in a single day. This achievement prevents the birth of thousands of unwanted cats and dogs, changing the future for animals and easing the burden on already overflowing shelters and foster homes.
This powerful initiative builds on the SPCA’s We Step In campaign, which is dedicated to breaking the cycle of suffering through mass sterilisation. We Step In Together demonstrates the impact of unified action in the fight against neglect, abandonment, and cruelty.
“This is what happens when we step in together,” says Cape of Good Hope SPCA Spokesperson Belinda Abraham. “The impossible is made possible. With the addition of many willing hands and hearts aligned to a common goal, we can achieve so much more. The SPCA cannot fight pet overpopulation alone. We need every rescue group to share our vision of a home for every animal. A vision that will only be realised through aggressive sterilisation campaigns.”
Every pet that was sterilised also received:
Vaccination against dreaded diseases
Deworming
Tick and flea treatment
A collar and identification tag
A food pack (dry food and tinned wet food) to support recovery
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA extends our deepest gratitude to the Lavender Hill community for their trust, cooperation, and love for their pets. This is a community that, despite their many challenges, is rich in compassion and care for their animals.
Of the 171 animals seen, only one dog was found to be underweight and showing early signs of mange—an issue that will be swiftly addressed through treatment and education.
“Lavender Hill’s pet owners are the unsung heroes of this story” says Abraham. “They may not have much, but what they do have in abundance is love, care and compassion for their pets. It was an honour to support them by providing a service to their pets that will not only prevent the birth of unwanted litters but also help them live happier, healthier lives.”
A Collective Effort – and a Resounding Thank You
This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of all participating organisations, including Paws-a-While, The Howlelujah Foundation, TEARS, Afripaw and Aid4Aid.
Paws-a-While Founder Carolyn Dudgeon who spearheaded the collaboration says “I reached out to these incredible welfare groups—to unite our strengths and pool our resources to maximise impact. This wasn’t just a pet sterilisation drive—it was a statement. A statement that pet overpopulation is a crisis we refuse to ignore and that every animal welfare organisation has a responsibility to be part of the solution”
We extend our gratitude and thanks to each and everyone for aligning with the SPCA as advocates for sterilisation, one of the few proactive tools we have in the fight against animal neglect and cruelty.
By Stepping In Together, we can create real, lasting change. Every sterilised pet brings us one step closer to a world where no animal is unwanted, neglected, or abandoned.
Step In With Us, Support Sterilisation!
