Finding accommodation on the North Coast can be a difficult task for pet owners, especially with many estates having strict no pet policies.
We asked our readers how they feel about the pet policies. The result was a lively debate that attracted 75 comments. We’ve selected a few of the best responses for you here.

Alexandra Harrison – [To] be clear… you mean “dog-friendly.” The other common pets worldwide are cats, which are most certainly not welcome here. Dogs are noisy, chase wildlife, get out all the time, and cause way more disturbance than cats, but it’s cats that get the bad rap, despite spending the majority of the day sleeping!

Samantha Bergset – The SPCA is full of animals being euthanized due to so many families having to give up their pets in this town. Every social page you look at has a family needing to rehome their beloved pets. This town is ridiculous. Families and kids should be able to grow up with pets. Kids love pets.

Nadine Smuts – I am a pet owner myself, and I fully support estates that have a “no animals or pets allowed” policy, like Zimbali. People here are so self-absorbed that they have no consideration for the fact that if their dog barks the entire day, they do absolutely nothing about it. The houses here are built on top of each other, so yes, when your neighbour’s dog is constantly barking all day, every day, life becomes a nightmare because of inconsiderate dog owners. Even cats fighting in the middle of the night constantly! Dogs bark from 4am to 11pm nonstop. It’s impossible to work, draft emails, or sit on work video calls because all you hear all day are dogs barking.
We have a miniature schnauzer whom we send to daycare, and from a puppy, she was disciplined not to bark. She never barks! Not even at the monkeys. Once she crosses the bridge and goes to heaven, we will, without a doubt, buy in Zimbali, where there are no pets allowed. Also, having two big dogs in these tiny yards is ridiculous. Shame on you as owners. Ballito homes have no gardens, but owners want to squeeze their two golden retrievers in this tiny yard… they get frustrated and then start barking. I’ve lived in Port Elizabeth, JHB, and now here – and I can honestly say that the people here are extremely inconsiderate of their neighbours. We never had issues with dogs constantly barking all day in JHB. People there are extremely considerate of one another.

Kelly Coates – This is the most unfriendly town with regards to animals – unless, of course, you are talking about the beach, restaurants, and common areas. You can socialise with your pets, but not have them in your home. It’s terribly sad and reduces the number of homes/areas you can rent or buy because most are so unaccommodating to cats and dogs.

Judy van der Westhuizen – Restaurants are OK, but accommodation isn’t.

Elaine Verster – Not sufficient! And definitely not as “dog-friendly” as all the signs say. I recently stayed in Hout Bay with a friend who has a rescue pooch that goes everywhere with him. Dog-friendly signs were all over. They had fenced-in garden areas in restaurants where you could let your dogs off their leads, dogs running off-lead having a ball with each other on the beach. We went to the neighbouring town one day, and it was the same deal! Chilled dogs, chilled humans! They even have a fenced-in dog park!

Michele van der Merwe – Complexes not, but restaurants and coffee shops around Ballito are so welcoming of dogs and most even have or bring out water bowls. Some even have doggy menus. The complex situation is tricky when it comes to having dogs… not everyone looks after them properly. I think strict pet policies need to be in place.

Leanna Hattingh – They should change the policies to pet-friendly for cats and dogs! It has become a destination for families and no longer only holidaymakers. In my opinion, it is outdated and should be revised. Surely estates want to keep up with the modern world where animal welfare is prioritised.

Nicola McGinley Tempest – Accommodation and estate rules are the worst for pet owners in Ballito.

Louise Ann Mitchell – The fireworks are not pet-friendly at all.

Brad Compere – It’s stupid, end of story. I had to put two of my bull terriers down last year because of the rules, and we were not in a position to afford other options. Even if we did, there aren’t many free-standing houses available. Besides that, if you don’t have dogs, you’re an open opportunity for [crime], so you need to spend money on security. They tell me I can’t have my dog because “what if someone comes into your yard and gets bitten?” Well, that is exactly what he is there to do – protect my property and everyone in the house. I agree the restaurants are amazing, but the estates are nothing less than cruel for not allowing pets. Breeds or sizes shouldn’t matter; cater for it.

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