FOUR PAWS Urges Public to Speak Out Against Cruel Live Animal Export

FOUR PAWS Urges Public to Speak Out Against Cruel Live Animal Export

Animal welfare organisation calls on South Africans to reject weak draft regulations and support an end to live animal exports by sea through a new public e-action before 25 August 2025

Cape Town, 18 August 2025 — Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is calling on the South African public to speak up against the inhumane practice of live animal exports by sea. This follows the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s publication of the draft Regulations for the Exportation of Live Animals by Sea under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

To ensure animal welfare concerns are heard, FOUR PAWS has launched a dedicated e-action platform that allows members of the public to submit their objections quickly and easily. The deadline for submissions is 25 August 2025.

Take Action Now: Submit your objection via the FOUR PAWS e-action platform: HELP US SAFEGUARD THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS BY PROHIBITING LIVE TRANSPORT BY SEA | FOUR PAWS. Submissions will be automatically sent to the Department on your behalf.

Why It Matters

Animals exported by sea suffer immensely during transport—enduring heat stress, motion sickness, injury, disease, harsh conditions, inadequate space, and the possibility of failed ventilation systems, to name a few. On arrival, many face cruel handling or rejection, resulting in them not being able to disembark at the destination.

FOUR PAWS warns that the draft Regulations fail to adequately protect animals and allow for vague, unenforceable standards that will enable industry to self-regulate. Once a ship is at sea, South Africa’s laws no longer have jurisdiction, leaving animals without protection. “These Regulations offer little more than false assurance. The only way to truly protect animals from the horrific suffering associated with live export is to prohibit the practice entirely,” says Fiona Miles, Director at FOUR PAWS South Africa.

FOUR PAWS encourages all citizens to take 60 seconds to join the movement by submitting their objection through the online e-action before 25 August 2025. “South Africans deserve to know what’s happening behind the closed doors of live animal exports. Animals deserve better. This is our chance to demand a compassionate and enforceable solution,” adds Miles.

Click here to send your objection today:  HELP US SAFEGUARD THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS BY PROHIBITING LIVE TRANSPORT BY SEA | FOUR PAWS

Together, we can ensure the welfare of animals is protected, not traded away.