It All Starts Locally.
Cape Town has earned global recognition for its compassionate and evidence-based approach to managing animal populations humanely, enhancing quality of life for both people and animals. This achievement has led to Cape Town’s selection by the International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM) as its first “Beacon City” for humane animal management.
By invitation of ICAM, Cape of Good Hope SPCA CEO, Moyo Ndukwana, is currently representing Cape Town at the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in Cairo, Egypt, from 4–8 November 2024.
Moyo is accompanied by City of Cape Town Mayco Member and Head of Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. As part of ICAM’s “Networking” panel discussion, Moyo will advocate for animal welfare in the sustainable cities dialogue, placing animal welfare within the broader context of sustainable urban development
Reflecting on this Moyo shared “As CEO, I not only represent the Cape of Good Hope SPCA but also the voiceless animals that rely on our advocacy and actions for their welfare. The opportunity to participate on this panel is therefore not only a professional honour, but also gives me great personal satisfaction to make a larger contribution to the lives of animals and humans beyond South Africa’s borders.”
Elly Hiby, Director of ICAM, explained the significance of Cape Town’s selection as the first Beacon City, “Cape Town leads the way in showing how welfare-friendly, evidence-based solutions to managing dog and cat populations create better cities for everyone. By addressing root causes and working with communities, they’re building a healthier, safer city where both people and animals thrive. As our first Beacon City, they demonstrate that effective animal management is key to creating positive urban spaces.”
It All Starts Together.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s mission is built on partnerships and community involvement. With support for our mandate from the City of Cape Town and the dedication of compassionate individuals, Cape Town has set an example in humane pet population management. “Uplifting the welfare of animals takes a village. Animal welfare organisations cannot succeed in isolation without the support of local communities and government, and we are extremely thankful to have both” says Moyo.
It All Starts Now.
This year’s WUF12 focuses on addressing urgent global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and lack of access to basic services. As the world seeks sustainable urban solutions, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA aims to spotlight the essential role that humane animal welfare practices play in building sustainable futures. “At the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, we’ve learned that compassion begins with understanding,” says Moyo. “We focus on education and community engagement, knowing that when people—both young and old—understand that animals deserve care and respect, they become more compassionate.” Humane pet population management is about more than just controlling numbers, it is about fostering a compassionate world where animals and humans can coexist in harmony.
It All Starts at Home.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s work begins in Cape Town, empowering residents to embrace a culture of kindness and responsibility. Through accessible services like sterilisation, basic veterinary care, and educational programs, we make it easier for people to care for their animals. Working with the City of Cape Town, we are working towards building a safer, healthier environment for all.
We are grateful to ICAM for this recognition, to the City of Cape Town for their part in animal protection in our city and to every resident who chooses kindness toward animals. Being named as a Beacon City is a proud moment for Cape Town and a milestone for animal welfare. We are proud to be an example of kindness and innovation for cities worldwide. Remember that every act of kindness helps create a better, more compassionate world for all who live in it.
This change begins with you, in your home too!
Choose kindness by:
- Being a responsible pet owner! Vaccinate and sterilise your pets. Visit this link to find out about a mobile clinic service near you or email hospital@spca-ct.co.za
- Report animal cruelty! Don’t look the other way when you see animal suffering! Report cruelty anonymously here or call 0217004158/9 or email inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za
- Teach children to have compassion for animals. If you are an educator or a community leader, send an email to educ1@spca-ct.co.za or find out more about our AniPals programme here
Share what you know! Become an advocate for animals by sharing your knowledge with others in your community.
FURTHER READING
Read more about the World Urban Forum’s Dog Population Management for Safe & Healthy Cities & ICAM’s Positive Cities initiative.
