{
  "id": 16773442,
  "title": "DYSFUNCTIONAL POUND: R286 a day to feed a dog? Law firm’s pound report raises questions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/dysfunctional-pound-r286-a-day-to-feed-a-dog-law-firms-pound-report",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T17:48:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-27-r286-a-day-to-feed-a-dog-law-firms-pound-report-raises-questions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The cost of running a municipal pound in Gqeberha has raised eyebrows following a report by a law firm's attorneys. According to the report, it costs R286 a day to feed a dog and R360 daily to clean a cat's enclosure at the Nelson Mandela Bay municipal pound. These figures prompted the SPCA's attorneys to investigate irregularities in the awarding of the tender for managing the facility. The report revealed that stray dogs were treated better than most children receiving government-subsidized meals, with the metro spending R286 a day on a single dog's food, compared to R9.60 per child. Cleaning the dog kennels cost R200 a day, while catteries were cleaned at R360 each. The report questioned the pricing of services and the process of tender awarding, with the SPCA's attorneys addressing these findings with the municipality. The pound had been managed for over 50 years by the SPCA before being transferred to Busy Bees in January 2026. However, issues with the facility and operations came to light in March when the Animal Anti-Cruelty League filed an urgent high court application for improvements following visits revealing major shortcomings. The new tender process led to the SPCA's attorneys scrutinizing the previous contract awarded to Busy Bees, raising several red flags.",
  "summary": "How much does it cost you to feed your pets every day? Well, according to the service provider who managed the Nelson Mandela Bay pound, it costs R286 a day to feed a dog, and R360 daily to clean a cat’s enclosure. These figures prompted a Gqeberha legal firm to investigate the management of the municipal facility.",
  "key_points": [
    "Municipal pound in Gqeberha costs R286 daily to feed a dog.",
    "SPCA attorneys investigate tender irregularities for pound management.",
    "Pound operated by SPCA for over 50 years before transfer to Busy Bees."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}