From licences to love: the little things that lead to responsible pet ownership

There’s been some noise online about recent draft pet permit rules in the Western Cape. But beyond the confused wording around licences, there lies a much larger obligation: don't wait for regulations to dictate what you should do – implement good practices yourself as a sign of responsible pet parenthood.

There was a bit of drama recently around Cape Town’s draft Animal Keeping By-law which says that you need a permit to own a dog or cat that’s over six month’s old.

The City's safety and security spokesperson has since said this was a mistake. The permit requirement is meant for breeding animals that haven’t been sterilised, and for people wanting to keep more than the legal number of pets – FYI, that’s two dogs in a flat or dwelling unit, three in a standard house, four on an erf over 600m², six on agricultural land, and a maximum of four cats per residence.

The draft was worded in a pretty confusing way, but in essence it means you probably won’t need a licence for your long-adoring Lab. To be clear, in late 2026, the by-law was still in draft form and in dispute, so it’s worth getting an update via your vet.

At any rate, it’s a draft by-law, not a new rule that’s suddenly coming into effect. But the real purpose of the permit is a lot less dramatic than the social-media panic suggests: it’s about laying out clearer rules around animal welfare, stray and dangerous animals, breeding programs, keeping animals on properties and enforcement.

What’s more important is what’s behind the wording – and it’s something every loving pet owner can relate to: owning an animal comes with responsibilities. Ones that go beyond pampering them and preventing them from destroying your couch.

It’s about being part of the solution, not the problem.

The proposed Cape Town permit rules push hard for sterilisation. In fact, it proposes that every dog and cat over six months must be sterilised by default. And owners will need to apply for a special permit if they want to keep an animal unsterilised, for breeding or any other purpose.

When you look at the shelters across SA overflowing with unwanted pets, you’ll understand the urgency – every accidental litter of pups and kittens only puts more pressure on the welfare organisations trying to care for and rehome them.

Sterilising your own animal is a good start, and one of the simplest ways to help solve the shelter problem. Of course, to do this you need to know the right age and timing. So check in with your vet rather than relying on online advice.

The draft permit rules also propose better ways to ID lost or stray animals. And that means microchipping, because collars and tags can easily come off. It only takes a second for your dog to discover an open gate and make a dash for freedom – and if it’s found without any way to identify it, it could end up in the shelter system.

A microchip gives a vet or welfare organisation a solid way to see all their details and reunite them with you. That’s why, beyond microchipping them, it’s important to update your contact details. And that applies to adopting a pet that was chipped by its previous owner. Make sure the registration has actually been transferred.

Beyond sterilisation and microchipping, vaccination is another bit of pet admin with big consequences. Rabies, though quite rare, is real and there are always sporadic outbreaks that could put your dog – and your neighbourhood – at risk.

In fact, part of the draft by-law requires proof of a valid rabies vax, so keeping your pet's shots up to date isn't just proper care. It may end up being part of what keeps you compliant.

So, keep a record of shots, know when boosters are due and ask your vet what your particular pet needs. It’s the less glam side of pet parenting, much like cleaning up after them in the park, but it’s more important than, say, posting pics of them in funny outfits on Instagram.

Training your doggo to sit or perform a clever trick on command is not just about creating cute content for your reels – although  who doesn’t love a good DogTok?! It’s more about making sure they’re safe and stable when navigating social spaces.

The human world is full of high stakes perils for your pet – busy roads, open gates, loud noises like a car backfiring. These can all be overwhelming for an untrained pup.

But a dog that comes when called is easier to protect near a main road. A dog comfortable in a harness and leash is easier to control around other animals and humans. A dog that comes to an abrupt halt on command is easier to keep out of a potential dog fight.

And the earlier you start, the better, because, yes, it is a little harder to teach an old dog new tricks. Early socialisation can help puppies learn how to cope with people, other animals and new environments.

This isn't just hypothetical. In May 2026, a child died after a dog attack in New Germany, just outside Durban. Metro Police stepped up enforcement of the city's animal by-laws. But, more tellingly, an animal welfare advocate linked the tragedy to a lack of training, socialisation and irresponsible ownership. That's the real reason training matters so much. Not because a by-law somewhere says so, but because an untrained, unsocialised dog is a real risk to the people and animals around it.

Interestingly, the draft by-law also proposes a blanket leash law: dogs on a leash in all public spaces, unless the area has been designated as off-leash. Another good reason to get the training basics right now, rather than waiting for the rule to land.

But responsible ownership goes beyond that – it also means recognising that not every animal wants to socialise. That odd little dog at the dog park may necessarily want your dog bounding over to say hello. A wagging tail may not always be what you think it is – and that’s where their body language and overall behaviour give us clear clues. So, it’s not just your dog that needs training – you need training too, to make sense of animal signals, read the canine room, and prevent any incidents from escalating.

Check your insurance benefits for better socialisation training. Miway’s comprehensive pet cover includes puppy training and socialisation classes, with other benefits like vaccinations, sterilisation, health checks and tick-and-flea treatment.

Knowing what normal looks like might just be the most powerful pet hack of all.

How much does your cat typically eat? How much water does your dog drink in the day? Where do they usually sleep? How energetic are they? Our four-legged family members can’t tell us, “I’ve felt a bit off since Friday.” They show us.

A Labrador who normally considers mealtimes a cause for celebration and suddenly leaves his bowl untouched is telling you something. So is the sociable cat that suddenly spends all day hiding under the bed.

Changes in bathroom habits, breathing or behaviour are worth watching out for. If something feels wrong relative to their appetite, drinking or movement, check in with your vet. Knowing your pet well is not about being a bit sentimental. It can be life-saving intel.

Our fur babies have an extraordinary ability to create their own emergencies – usually by deciding that something totally inedible is worth gulping down in one go. Toys, tape measures, toothpaste, socks, string, shoelaces, balls, Bluetooth earbuds and buttons. The more bizarre the item, the more appealing, it seems.

Then there are the things nobody ever expects or plans for: a road accident, a vicious dog fight, a sudden illness, that vet visit on a Sunday evening when everything costs double because of course that’s when stuff goes down with our four-legged besties.

But responsible pet ownership means budgeting for both the predictable, preventative things and for those emergencies. And that’s where insurance kicks in.

Miway offers you different levels of cover, ranging from accident-only to cover for accidents, illness, hospital care and day-to-day veterinary benefits. Depending on the plan you pick, you can get a range of  lifestyle benefits like sterilisation, vaccinations, dental care, grooming, daycare and parasite treatment.

Insurance can never replace responsible ownership, but it can help you afford the care your canine or feline kid deserves.

And in case you’re thinking ‘I don’t live in Cape Town, so this doesn’t really concern me’, Johannesburg has had its own version of these rules since 2005. Tshwane also requires pet registration. Durban has its own limits and nuisance rules.

So whichever city you're in, the basics are practically the same: know your limits, register your pet, and take your responsibilities seriously. The details of your municipality’s by-laws matter a whole lot  less than the habit of being the kind of pet parent your neighbours, vet and pet can count on, wherever you live.

Here’s the bottom line, though: Our best friends ask so little of us considering how much they give us back. Somewhere safe to sleep, food and a bowl of fresh water, a daily run around the neighbourhood, a frisbee thrown in the park, and, apparently, about 76% of whichever bed you were planning to sleep in.

But humour aside, we owe it to them to do better. To give them the correct medical care, to put real effort into training them, to microchip and vaccinate them. And to never neglect them.

Because if you can’t put those basics in place, you need to ask yourself the hard question of whether you’re really ready to be a responsible pet owner.

Cape Town City’s draft by-law may have been about permits and licences, but it’s what’s beyond the law that truly matters.  It’s about hundreds of little acts of love. And all of them say the same thing: You’re part of this family, so we’re going to look after you properly.