World Animal Day celebration returns to Cape Town

Animal lovers, families and pet owners will gather at the Sea Point Promenade on Sunday, 4 October, for the 2026 Paws-A-While World Animal Day celebration.

The free event, organised by non-profit Paws-A-While with Mars as headline sponsor, will bring together more than 20 animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals, businesses and the City of Cape Town for a day focused on animal welfare, adoption and responsible pet ownership.

The event is officially listed on the international World Animal Day calendar and will feature activities aimed at educating the public while providing entertainment for the whole family.

Visitors will have an opportunity to meet animals looking for homes and connect with organisations involved in rescue and adoption.

The programme will also cover practical aspects of pet ownership, including sterilisation, vaccination, preventative healthcare, nutrition, training and responsible care.

Veterinary and animal-care professionals will take part in talks and demonstrations, with Dr Amir from Vets2Pets expected to share advice on pet health and preventative care.

The event will also feature new national pet-ownership data from the 2025 General Household Survey. The survey found that 23.5% of South African households own a dog or cat, representing an estimated 7.4 million dogs and two million cats.

Organisers say the information can help improve understanding of companion-animal ownership and support planning around veterinary services, vaccination, sterilisation and disease control, including rabies.

The day's entertainment will include a 10-category Rescue Dog Show, the Paws-A-While Rescue Organisation Parade and demonstrations by the City of Cape Town Metro Police K-9 Unit and Armand K9.

Visitors can also take part in Downward Dog for Dogs yoga, Zumba with ZIN Candice, music, entertainment and a lucky draw.

Paws-A-While says the event aims to turn people's love for animals into practical action.

“There is enormous love for animals in Cape Town, but love has to translate into responsible action,” said Carolyn Dudgeon of Paws-A-While.

She said World Animal Day provides an opportunity to combine adoption with education, sterilisation, preventative healthcare and responsible ownership.

Mars, which has partnered with Paws-A-While for several years, is continuing its support through its Petcare business and brands including PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, DREAMIES® and ROYAL CANIN®.

The company is supporting the event through education, expert participation and product donations, with a focus on the health and wellbeing of companion animals.

The Paws-A-While World Animal Day 2026 will take place from 9am to 3pm on Sunday, 4 October, at the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town. Entry is free, and dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.