Fragmentation Is Failing Animals; Alignment Can Change Their Future

Cape Town, 06 May 2026 — South Africa’s animal welfare system is not failing due to a lack of public interest, but because of fragmented laws, weak enforcement, and a lack of collaboration. This was the central message emerging from the 2026 State of Animal Welfare Address #SOAWA, hosted by the global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS in Cape Town, South Africa, and livestreamed internationally via YouTube last night.

The annual platform brought together leaders from animal welfare, government, academia and public health to assess the state of animal welfare in South Africa and the urgent need for alignment and reform. Delivering the keynote address, Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa, posed a defining question:

She noted that while awareness has grown, systems have not kept pace, with outdated laws, weak enforcement and fragmented responsibility continuing to leave animals unprotected. “When animals suffer, we suffer,” she said.

State of big cat welfare: Commerce disguised as conservation

A panel discussion on The State of Big Cat Welfare, moderated by Tony Gerrans, Executive Director of Humane World for Animals, examined South Africa’s captive lion industry and the long‑standing policy and governance failures that have allowed it to persist despite multiple national processes pointing toward its closure. Humane World for Animals Senior Wildlife Director Dr Audrey Delsink highlighted the inherent welfare harms embedded in the captive lion lifecycle. 

Addressing the scientific evidence, Dr Louise de Waal, Director and Campaign Manager at Blood Lions, emphasised that captive-bred lions offer no conservation benefit and pose serious welfare, biosecurity, and disease risks. Drawing on peer-reviewed research, she noted that industry claims related to, amongst others, biodiversity protection and job creation are not supported by science. An international opinion poll conducted by Blood Lions and World Animal Protection further revealed that 70% of tourists from key markets would avoid destinations that allow the commercial breeding of lions, highlighting the broader reputational and economic risks. 

Former Ministerial Task Team Chair, Kamalasen Chetty, stressed that fragmented governance remains a key barrier to reform. 

He reflected on the progress made to advance the policy work, voluntary exit process and highlighted successful results such as the keen interest by facilities seeking to voluntarily exit. In addition, he indicated that the Task Team developed a series of directives aimed at addressing policy fragmentation within the industry, including the development of interim minimum standard guidelines, accredited training programmes for officials and relevant stakeholders and the support for progressive political decisions of the Mpumalanga Province, leading the way towards better protection for animals.

State of farm animal: Invisible lives, visible risks

Speaking on the state of farm animal protection in South Africa, Amy P. Wilson, Executive Director of Animal Law Reform South Africa, highlighted the vast scale and systemic nature of industrial farming, where billions of animals are killed for food each year under outdated and poorly enforced legal frameworks. She warned that factory farming prioritises efficiency over welfare, often permitting practices that cause significant suffering while also posing risks to public health, the environment and workers. 

She called for stronger legislation, effective enforcement and a transition toward more humane, transparent and sustainable food systems.

State of companion animal welfare: Systemic failure and the case for prevention

Nicola van Wyk, Policy Advisor at FOUR PAWS South Africa, warned that the country faces a growing companion animal overpopulation crisis driven by uncontrolled breeding, lack of verifiable data, and chronic under‑funding and deprioritisation by government. With an estimated four million dogs and cats homeless, low sterilisation rates continue to fuel the cycle of neglect, disease and suffering, while also increasing public health risks such as dog bites and rabies. Despite government’s legal obligation to consider animal welfare, organs of state allocate minimal resources, leaving NGOs to carry the burden. 

Government perspective: Progress through partnership

Guest speaker Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security in the City of Cape Town, highlighted both the challenges and progress in animal welfare at a local government level. Drawing on his frontline experience, he acknowledged the reality of cruelty, particularly among farm and companion animals, but emphasised that strong partnerships between the City and the animal welfare sector are driving meaningful progress, from expanded sterilisation programmes and mobile clinics to improved by‑laws and humane education initiatives. 

From conversation to collaboration

In her closing remarks, Miles reflected on the discussions, the evidence, and the lived experiences shared. 

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

/ENDS