South Africa Records First National Pet Ownership Data In Major Milestone For Animal Welfare

According to the data, 7.4 million dogs are owned by 4.2 million households (21% of all households), while 2 million cats are owned by 1.3 million households (6.4% of all households). This marks the first credible, verifiable data on owned companion animal populations at national level, a significant milestone for animal welfare in South Africa.

The inclusion of pet-related questions in the GHS follows a formal request submitted by Four Paws to the Statistician-General of Stats SA, supported by direct engagement with the institution. Four Paws commends Stats SA for their diligence, professionalism and valuable expertise, as well as their openness to collaboration.

“We are incredibly encouraged by the openness and responsiveness of Stats SA,” says Nicola van Wyk, Policy Advisor at Four Paws South Africa. “Their willingness to engage and act on our request has made this milestone possible. For the first time, we have reliable national, provincial, and metropolitan data on owned pet populations, giving us a critical foundation for evidence-based policy reform and humane population management.”

While the data marks significant progress, Four Paws emphasises that it excludes stray dogs and cats, which remain uncounted and represent a major gap in understanding the full scale of South Africa’s companion animal population.

“Household figures are only part of the picture,” van Wyk adds. “South Africa continues to face a serious overpopulation challenge, particularly in under-resourced communities, and we urgently need data on stray populations to fully understand and address the issue.”

Four Paws is continuing to work with Stats SA to expand future data collection to include indicators such as sterilisation rates, disease management, access to veterinary care, and responsible ownership.

“This milestone must now translate into action,” concludes van Wyk. “With the right data and coordinated effort, we can implement humane population management solutions that benefit animals, communities, and public health.”

For more information, please visit our website at www.four-paws.org.za.