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This October, during World Animal Month, communities, welfare organizations, and businesses are uniting to promote adoption, responsible ownership, and overall animal well-being. The month-long focus encourages reflection on pet homelessness, sterilization, vaccination, and education while strengthening the bond between humans and their pets.
This year’s celebrations featured South Africa’s largest World Animal Day event on Sunday, October 5, at the Sea Point Promenade. Over 1,000 attendees joined more than 20 welfare organizations—including Paws-A-While and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA—with strong support from the City of Cape Town.
Hosted by the non-profit Paws-A-While, the event blended education and celebration. Families and visitors had the chance to adopt rescue pets, explore a bustling pet-friendly market, enjoy live entertainment, and participate in hands-on welfare and nutrition activities emphasizing preventive care and responsible ownership.
Since its founding in 2021, Paws-A-While has conducted over 500 sterilizations, facilitated more than 600 successful adoptions, and partnered with more than 20 welfare organizations nationwide. To mark World Animal Month, Mars, Royal Canin, Pick n Pay, Takealot, and Pet Express donated nearly 1,000 kilograms of pet food to support feeding and sterilization programs in under-resourced communities.
City of Cape Town Launches First Pet Census
At the event, a representative from the City of Cape Town highlighted the first-ever pet census, aimed at understanding the needs of South African pets and their owners. The data will guide welfare policy, expand veterinary services, and shape education and engagement programs across the city.
A Pet-Obsessed World
Globally, there are more than one billion pets, and South Africa is no exception. Mars’ 2024 global pet parent study found that 56% of South Africans identify as pet parents, with nearly half being first-time owners. One in three respondents said their pet is the most important thing in their lives.
This surge in pet ownership is not just a trend; it reflects South Africans’ growing attention to animal welfare. Pet food has become one of the fastest-expanding retail categories. Collaboration between producers, retailers, and communities is transforming public enthusiasm into real, measurable improvements for animals nationwide.
Action at Scale
Mars has a long-standing commitment to pet wellbeing, achieving the following over the past five years:
- Supported nearly 10 million vulnerable pets
- Donated over 100 million meals to pets in need
- Sterilized more than 30,000 free-roaming animals
- Provided preventive care, including wellness checks and vaccinations, to over 100,000 pets
In 2024, Mars contributed R8,764,905 to Humane Society International programs in South Africa, India, and Mexico, demonstrating how evidence-driven, compassionate action delivers measurable impact locally and globally.
Voices Advancing Pet Wellbeing
Suraya Hamdulay, Corporate Affairs Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mars
“Our mission is to create a Better World for Pets. Collaborating for World Animal Day allows us to bring education, awareness, and support to pets and their families across South Africa.”
Phillip Gittins, Head of Advertising, Pick n Pay
“Through initiatives like Pet Club, we help families provide for the pets they love, strengthening trust in our communities and promoting responsible ownership.”
Karla Levick, Chief Marketing Officer, Takealot
“This initiative allows our platform to extend beyond convenience into compassion, creating real impact for pets and families nationwide.”
Carolyn Dudgeon, Founder, Paws-A-While
“Support from Mars, Takealot, Pet Express, and Pick n Pay helps us scale compassion so more families and pets can find each other. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.”
A Shared Call for Compassion
As World Animal Month continues through October, South Africans are encouraged to turn their love for pets into meaningful action. Whether it’s adopting, volunteering, supporting local shelters, or funding sterilization and vaccination drives, every act of kindness contributes to a more compassionate country. Each effort helps build a future where every pet is valued, cared for, and part of a community that recognizes their wellbeing as a shared responsibility.
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