Are you looking for a new furry friend in Cape Town? Well, whether it’s a dog or a cat, there are an overwhelming number of pets in Cape Town looking for their forever homes.
There are over 230 000 stray dogs in Cape Town alone. Thankfully, there are many animal rescue shelters around Cape Town doing what they can to give these animals a second chance.
Unfortunately, the reality is that most of them lack the space, funds and hands to take complete care of these forgotten pets. So they are always looking for some support, in whatever shape or form — whether it’s donations, volunteering, fostering or the ultimate help, adoption.
So in the name of Adopt Don’t Shop, here’s a list of the top 10 places to look to adopt a dog or cat in Cape Town (plus a tip on how to find the best pet transporters to bring them home!).
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Standing for The Emma Animal Rescue Society, TEARS has grown in the past 24 years to become one of the country’s leading animal welfare organisations.
As a pro-life, registered, non-profit organisation, TEARS relies on the support of caring individuals and corporations to assist them, working to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome domestic animals, as well as provide veterinary services to local communities. TEARS achieves this through its animal shelters, veterinary services and mobile animal clinic which extends their reach to more communities such as Ocean View, Vrygrond, Masiphumelele and Redhill.
All it takes is 4 easy steps to adopt a cat or dog from TEARS:
Apply online
Go for a visit
Home check
Adopt
There is also an adoption fee of R950 which covers flea and tick treatment, vaccinations, microchipping, identification tag, sterilisation, deworming and more.
Location: Sunnydale
Animals: Dogs and cats
Other ways to help: Donate money, supplies and second-hand goods, volunteer, foster a cat or dog, shop at the charity shop, join the Woof and Whiskers Club, swipe your MySchool card
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The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals) is a nationwide non-profit organisation that all started in 1872 at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, making it the oldest animal welfare organisation in South Africa.
Over the past 150 years, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA has diligently carried out their mission to prevent cruelty to animals. This is done through education, law enforcement, veterinary care services (operating an animal hospital and four mobile clinics serving impoverished communities), an Animal Care Centre, Horse Care and Farmyard and Wildlife department.
Here’s a brief look at the application process:
Fill out the online application
The animal is quarantined for 2 weeks,
Pre-adoption phase includes vaccinations and physical and behavioural assessments
Book an appointment which requires a R100 deposit, copy of ID and proof of address
An inspector performs a home inspection
The adoption process has a 95% success rate for dogs and 100% for cats.
Location: Grassy Park, Franschhoek, Winelands, Paarl, Wellington
Animals: Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and other small animals
Other ways to help: Donate money, supplies and second-hand goods, volunteer, support their campaigns, sponsor an animal, get an SPCA membership or swipe your MySchool card.
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DARG (Domestic Animal Rescue Group) stands as a pro-life, non-profit entity dedicated to the rescue, care, sterilisation and rehoming of cats and dogs that have experienced neglect, abuse or abandonment. The organisation plays a vital role in offering essential services to the lower-income communities of Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg and the broader Hout Bay area.
DARG provides a haven for its rescued animals, including an extensive cat garden, a cat sanctuary, as well as outdoor and indoor kennel areas. Additionally, indoor rooms are designated for animals undergoing treatment or rehabilitation.
You can adopt a cat or dog from DARG in 4 easy steps:
Fill out a detailed online application form
Arrange a meeting with one of their behaviourists if you have any other dogs
Have a home inspection
Collect your furry new friend
The adoption fee is R850.
Location: Hout Bay
Animals: Dogs and cats
Other ways to help: Donate money, supplies and second-hand goods, buy from their book shop and garage shop and volunteer your time by walking dogs and playing with the cats
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The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) is committed to serving our community by preventing animal cruelty, encouraging kindness and teaching humane treatment. With a focus on improving animal health, the organisation aims to foster a compassionate community-pet relationship.
Adopting a cat or dog with the AWSS takes only 5 steps:
View their available pets and choose your next furry friend
Apply online
Have a meet and greet
Perform a home check
Finalise the adoption by paying the application fee and taking your new pet home
The adoption fee for cats is R1 000 and R950 for dogs which includes microchipping, initial vaccinations, flea and deworming treatment and sterilisation.
Location: Stellenbosch
Animals: Dogs and cats
Other ways to help: Donate money, supplies and second-hand goods, buy from their charity and online shop, foster a puppy or kitten and volunteer your time by walking dogs and playing with the cats
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While Rescue Obsessed may be a little less formal than the other organisations, it doesn’t diminish the incredible and impactful work they do rescuing and taking care of stray dogs and cats.
Due to their limited facilities, they have a significant fostering network and are in constant need of any support you can give them. Rescue Obsessed is deeply committed to animal welfare, conducting outreach, education and veterinary care in townships. Their initiatives include sterilisation programs to curb overbreeding and rescue work that leads to successful adoptions.
To adopt one of their adorable animals, contact them at +27 67 022 1633 or message them on Facebook or Instagram.
Location: Paarl
Animals: Dogs, cats and birds
Other ways to help: Donate money, supplies and second-hand goods, support their fundraisers, sponsor an animal’s operation, vaccination or sterilisation, volunteer your time and foster a kitten or puppy.
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Helderberg Animal Rescue Team (HART) is a non-profit organisation that rescues puppies, kittens and their mothers in the Western Cape. Operating on a foster-based model, HART hosts regular adoption days to find suitable homes. The team also engages in community outreach, providing support, education and supplies to underserved areas.
Their main goals include sterilisation, vaccination and aiding animals in need. While limited in capacity for adult animals, HART actively shares them on various platforms to facilitate adoptions. Despite facing challenges, the organisation strives to make a positive impact on animal welfare.
The adoption process at HART includes:
Filling out the online application
Booking a visit at the animal’s foster home
Performing a pre-adoption home visit
Pay the adoption fee and collect your new pet
The adoption fee for cats is R950 and includes deworming, flea treatment, disease testing, their first vaccination, microchipping and sterilisation. For dogs, the adoption fee is R1 000 and includes deworming, flea and tick treatment, their first vaccination, microchipping and sterilisation.
Location: Helderberg area
Animals: Dogs and cats
Other ways to help: Foster a kitten or puppy, donate money, sponsor an animal and volunteer your time
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Oscars Arc operates as a dynamic dog adoption agency, driven by a mission to promote dog adoption through innovative marketing strategies. These encompass engaging online and digital campaigns, a centralised dog adoption centre and the WOOF Project—an inventive pop-up adoption platform.
You may spot the WOOF Project around Cape Town, whether it's at the V & A Waterfront or Constantia Village. With over 4 680 successful adoptions, you can be sure that Oscar Arc knows what they’re doing — they even hold the Guinness World Record for the most adoptions in one day!
To adopt from the WOOF Project, all you have to do is:
Visit the WOOF Project in-person and fill out the adoption application or fill out the application online
Get ready for the brief home check which can take place within 48 hours
Collect your next best buddy!
Oscar Arc offers a ‘name your price’ adoption fee so that you can give what you can. You can also be sure that your dog will be vaccinated, microchipped and sterilised.
Location: Foreshore, V & A Waterfront, Constantia Village and more
Animals: Dogs
Other ways to help: Donate money, name one of their superstars, volunteer your time at one of the pop-up WOOF Projects, become a home checker or foster one of their dogs
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Grace Animal Sanctuary, a registered non-profit in Cape Town, is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused animals. They work tirelessly to restore animals to good health and find them loving homes.
Acting as an umbrella brand, they support smaller organisations in the animal rescue sector. Beyond their direct operations, Grace Animal Sanctuary is committed to educating the community on proper animal care, aiming to prevent future issues.
The adoption process at Grace Animal Sanctuary includes:
Viewing the animals available for adoption and fill out an adoption form
Scheduling a visit to meet the animal
Have a home visit
Collect your new furry family member
All adoption fees include vet checks, first vaccinations, deworming as well as mandatory sterilisation.
Location: Northern Suburbs
Animals: Dogs and cats
Other ways to help: Donate a financial contribution or one of their wish list items, volunteer at one of their events, walk dogs, clean kennels, help with marketing, play with the animals and foster some pets
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As a registered non-profit, pro-quality-of-life organisation, the Lucky Lucy Foundation opposes any form of cruelty and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for severely neglected and abused domestic animals.
The Lucky Lucy Foundation prioritises sterilising cats and dogs through the National Sterilisation Project, preventing the overpopulation of unwanted animals. Their on-site clinic, led by expert veterinarians, also supports destitute pet owners. They advocate against the unsustainable elimination of feral colonies and provide ad hoc education to foster accountability and compassion for all life.
Adopting from the Lucky Lucy Foundation involves:
Browsing their list of animals up for adoption
Make an appointment for a meet and greet
Complete the adoption form
Get ready for a home visit
Collect your new pet
Adoption fees range depending on your new pet. Adult and special needs dogs are R800, puppies are R900, adult and special needs cats are R800, senior cats are R750 and kittens are R900. The adoption fee includes vaccinations, deworming and flea treatment, sterilisation and microchipping.
Location: Cape Farms
Animals: Dogs and cats
Other ways to help: Foster animals, donate money, volunteer your time, fundraise and become a guardian angel
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Founded by Cheryl-Lyn Potgieter in 2015, Cheryl Lyn’s Rescue Organisation (CRO), formerly known as D.A.R.T., is on a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome neglected and abused animals. Cheryl-Lyn, driven by a personal commitment, has tirelessly rescued animals from dire conditions, using her own funds and public donations. Despite financial challenges, CRO has assembled a dedicated team of volunteers passionately involved in fundraising, securing foster homes, marketing, networking and collaborating with other rescue organisations. Together, they work around the clock to provide essential support to animals in distress, embodying a shared love for animals and a commitment to their well-being.
Adopting from CRO includes an adoption fee, home inspection and adoption agreement. For more information on the adoption process, please email info@cro-animal-rescue.org.za or phone Cheryl Lyn Potgieter on 082 770 2667.
Location: Table View
Animals: Dogs and cats
Other ways to help: Donate money, supplies and water, foster an animal and volunteer your time
Getting your new furry family member back to your home safely may require some extra help — that’s where Wise Move’s trusted pet transport services come in. With Wise Move’s moving company platform, you can find the best rated and most affordable pet transport services in the country because your new pet deserves only the best to adjust to their new forever home.
Get your quote today and take the next step to bring your adorable pet home.
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