ITS ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE MUNICIPALITY ANIMAL POUND
Published: January 21, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality animal pound is open and ready to receive animals. This confirmation follows an assessment of the facility and engagement with the newly appointed service provider by the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Health, Councillor Thsonono Buyeye.
The service provider was appointed in the first week of January 2026 following a thorough and compliant Supply Chain Management process as per regulations.
The Municipal Pound will accommodate animals such as dogs, cats and livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, that are found roaming illegally outside protected farming areas or beyond legally designated residential boundaries.
Engagements with the Department of Agriculture and Veterinary Services to upgrade the pound and add a fully functional animal clinic at the pound precinct are at an advanced stage.
Once the upgrades are completed, the clinic will be registered with the South African Veterinary Council. When the clinic is fully registered, it will operate accordingly, 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 as a service provider, and we extend our appreciation for the great work they performed. The Municipality reiterates that according to the law, it is under no obligation to renew any contract or agreement as per government procurement regulations and laws.
Additionally, the completion of an open, fair, transparent, and competitive bidding process has resulted in the appointment of a new service provider signaling a new era, which we are confident will ensure that the required Municipal pound services improve, and are operationally effective and efficient.
"We are pleased that the new service provider has moved in and is indicating readiness to work. I have also been briefed by officials about the experience of the current service provider, a briefing that has brought comfort that we will be providing a quality service to the people of this Metro,” said MMC Buyeye.
He said that the safety of both people and animals on the roads will be improved. "We know that these animals sometimes cause accidents, that there are occasional disease outbreaks, and that uncontrolled animal movements pose a serious health risk. As a caring Municipality, it is our responsibility to take care of vulnerable animals,” added MMC Buyeye.
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 exercise proper control at all times. 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.
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.
Animal Control rangers operate across the Metro, and residents are encouraged to report stray animals or by-law transgressions by contacting the Municipality on 041 506 5413 or the 24-hour Service Delivery Line on 0800 20 50 50.
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