FOUR PAWS Welcomes Landmark Pet Population Data in South Africa
First credible national data on owned companion animals marks a milestone for animal population management and disease control
Cape Town, 01 June 2026 – Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS welcomes the release of new data from Stats SA’s General Household Survey (GHS), providing the most accurate and credible snapshot yet of companion animal ownership in the country, at national, provincial, and metropolitan level.
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.
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.
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.
For more information, please visit our website at www.four-paws.org.za
/ENDS
Deidre Daniels
Public Relations Officer9B Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park,
Green Building, Cape Town, 7945
A Public Relations professional with over eight years’ experience in fostering positive relationships between organisations and media.
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects across the globe, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.za