Loitering animals that pose a risk to motorists and compromise the health and hygiene of residents will soon be a thing of the past following the appointment of a three-year service provider to manage the Municipal Pound.

The service provider was appointed on the first week of January 2026 following a thorough and compliant Supply Chain Management process. The Municipal Pound will accommodate animals such as dogs, cats and livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, that are found roaming illegally outside of protected farming areas or beyond legally designated residential boundaries. The Municipality is currently working with the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services to upgrade the pound to add a fully functional animal clinic at the pound precinct. Once the upgrades are completed the clinic will be registered with the South African Veterinary council. When the clinic is fully registered, However, for now a state veterinarian is available on call to attend to any animal health emergencies and assessments. 

Previously, the Municipality operated in partnership with the SPCA through their pound facilities. However, the completion of a competitive bidding process has resulted in the conclusion of that interim arrangement and the appointment of a dedicated service provider to manage municipal pound services.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe said the appointment of the service provider marks a critical step in improving public safety and animal welfare across Nelson Mandela Bay.

"The uncontrolled movement of animals, particularly livestock, poses a serious risk to road users and residents. This appointment allows the Municipality to respond more effectively, lawfully and humanely to these challenges,” said the Mayor.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has a legal responsibility to ensure a safe, healthy and secure environment for both residents and animals. This responsibility is guided by various legislative and regulatory frameworks, including the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Animal Control By-law, the Animals Protection Act (Act 71 of 1962), the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000), and applicable road safety legislation that prohibits livestock from roaming on public roads, highways and public spaces.

In terms of these by-laws and laws, animal owners are legally required to keep their animals confined within approved and designated areas and to always exercise proper control. Livestock are strictly prohibited from roaming freely in public spaces, while domestic animals such as dogs and cats must be kept in a manner that does not pose a danger or nuisance to the public.

The Executive Mayor emphasised that enforcement is not punitive but aimed at ensuring compliance and protecting both people and animals.

"We urge residents to take responsibility for their animals. The enforcement of these by-laws is not about punishment, but about preventing accidents, protecting public health and ensuring the humane treatment of animals,” the Mayor added.

Under the Directorate of Public Health, the Municipal Animal Control Unit is equipped with trained animal rangers whose responsibility is to enforce these by-laws. Rangers are authorised to remove animals found in contravention of municipal regulations and place them in the Municipal Pound.

Animals impounded in this manner may be reclaimed by their owners upon payment of the prescribed impoundment fees, which serve as a penalty for non-compliance with the applicable by-laws. These fees also contribute towards the care, feeding and welfare of the animals while in the pound.

"This programme strengthens the Municipality’s ability to create safer communities while ensuring that animals are cared for in a regulated and humane environment,” concluded the Mayor.