Cape Town, 04 October – FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organisation, held a significant gathering outside Parliament on World Animal Day with the theme “Bring Animals to Parliament”. The gathering saw supporters and animal welfare organisations stand together to witness the handover of a Memorandum of Pertinent Issues and the launch of the FOUR PAWS #LiveKinder- An Animal Welfare Advocacy Guide for a Kinder World. The memorandum submitted to Parliament endorsed by animal welfare organisations a represents the collective demands for animal welfare in South Africa.

“The memorandum reflects FOUR PAWS’ comprehensive vision for a South Africa where animals are treated with dignity and respect, and the need for stronger legislation and enforcement to protect animal welfare across all sectors”, said Fiona Miles Director at FOUR PAWS. The memorandum supported by leading animal welfare organisations, addresses critical concerns in the treatment of wild, companion, and farmed animals. Our key demands include:

• Ending the Captive Keeping of Lions for commercial purposes and closing existing facilities, with a call to expand this to all big cat species.
• Improving Companion Animal Welfare by establishing national and local programs for veterinary services, sterilisation, vaccination, and education.
• Ending Live Animal Transport for export by sea, calling for more humane alternatives.
• Promoting Food System Change to prioritise sustainable and animal-friendly practices in agriculture.
• Preventing the Next Pandemic by adopting a One Health approach that includes the welfare of animals in national health strategies.
• Adopting Higher Animal Welfare Standards with stricter regulations and enforcement to address the overpopulation crisis and factory farming.

FOUR PAWS launched the #LiveKinder Animal Welfare Advocacy Guide, aiming to transform South Africa's animal welfare policy through knowledge co-creation, learning, partnerships, and convening voices. The guide emphasises the interconnectedness between human, environmental, and animal health, encouraging a kinder, more compassionate, and sustainable future for all. Animal welfare is essential in addressing pandemics, biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, health, and food security.

“We believe that with your help, we can make a real difference for animal welfare. We value the importance of One Welfare and believe that animal welfare is a priority. The well-being of animals contributes to the quality of our future, and together, we can pave the way for a kinder, more compassionate, and sustainable future for all—humans, animals, and the planet. The guide serves as a resource that educates communities on how to support our work and help advocate for better treatment of animals in our country,” said Celiwe Shivambu FOUR PAWS Campaign Officer. FOUR PAWS urges people to join the movement towards a more sustainable and healthier future by reading, actioning, and sharing this guide.

The community in attendance at the gathering were addressed by Honourable Mr Narend Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment who highlighted the historical importance, critical state and significant need to address animal welfare in South Africa. “As government we have a duty to our people, the planet and all the animals who inhabit this beautiful country to stand up for animal welfare.”

The gathering featured a dynamic program of performances by the Rainbow Arts Organisation like spoken word artist Anele Kose, a women led marimba band, Women Unite and youth acapella group Brothers and Sisters Art Organisation, using the arts and activism for animals this World Animal Day.  

For more information about FOUR PAWS, please visit FOUR PAWS South Africa.

/ENDS