Winter won't stop Lavender Hill's vital animal sterilisation drive

Cape Town’s bitter winter has not slowed down a vital animal sterilisation campaign in Lavender Hill.

More than 70 cats and dogs have already been sterilised and returned to their owners, bringing the total to over 300 in the past six months.

The campaign is a joint effort by Aid 4 Animals in Distress (Aid4Aid), the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, and Paws-a-While.

Together, they aim to sterilise 160 animals during this winter phase.

Each animal is collected by the SPCA mobile unit or Aid4Aid field workers, taken to the SPCA hospital, and returned the following day after being sterilised and vaccinated.

Every animal is also deflead, dewormed, and sent home with pet food.

“We are immensely proud of the work that has been successfully carried out this year in Lavender Hill,” said Grant O’Neill, chairperson of Aid4Aid.

“We are just as proud of our field-worker team led by JJ Jones. Without them, we would not have been able to sign up and sterilise all these animals.”

The Aid4Aid field-worker team plays a key role in making the project community-led, according to Mr O'Neill.

"Their work not only brings essential animal care to the area but also helps create jobs in a neighbourhood with high unemployment."

The team, clearly visible in branded gear, explains to residents why sterilisation is so important.

By law, animals over six months must be sterilised, and most owners are happy to have this done for free.

Carolyn Dudgeon, founder of Paws-a-While, said: “Lavender Hill has long lacked a responsible, structured initiative to help manage the growing pet population. With the inception of the Aid4Aid fieldworker team, the initiative is not only uplifting the lives of animals but empowering members of the community. This is more than a sterilisation project – it’s about creating long-term change through compassion and collaboration.”

The winter leg of the project was made possible through funding donated by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF).

CAWF members could apply for support, and this Lavender Hill campaign was among those selected.

The project will run until the full quota of sterilisations is met.

“This year has been like a dream come true for me. I have been rescuing and supporting animals with Aid4Aid for 9 years now, but this year we have finally been able to try and stop many of the unwanted litters. In so doing, we are saving many lives," said primary field worker Mr Jones.

Lavender Hill residents who would like their pets sterilised can look out for the Aid4Aid field-worker team in their area.

Alternatively, they can email info@aid4aid.co.za or contact the organisation on social media, including their full name and address.