Cape families surrender more pets as need for low-cost vet care soars

More Cape Town families are surrendering their pets to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA due to increasing financial pressures making basic animal care unaffordable. The number of animals surrendered rose by 43.7% in 2025/26 compared to the previous year, with a total of 27,181 animals entering its care. Visits to the SPCA Animal Hospital for affordable veterinary treatment increased by 51.9%, from 35,332 to 53,686. Community welfare workers report that families are struggling to afford proper shelter and veterinary care, often feeding animals scraps and leaving them untreated.