Welcome
South African Board for
Companion Animal Professionals
Companion animals can be defined as those animals that live in close company of people or which provide love & companionship to their owners.
About Us
Welcome to the website of the South African Board for Companion Animal Professionals.
South African Board for Companion Animal Professionals or SABCAP is a constituted body/statutory board, whose members act in a coordinated way, serving the non-clinical companion animal industry needs. SABCAP is directed to the group of professionals who operate in sectors which offer and render services regarding companion animals, in five categories, namely Companion Animal Behaviourists, Companion Animal Welfarists, Animal-assisted Activity Practitioners, Companion Animal Groomers and Companion Animal trainers.
Our members fulfill a specified minimum membership criteria and are obligated to abide by a code of ethics. We strive to protect the interests of pet owners and their pets as well as our members.
What We Do
SABCAP is a constituted body/statutory board established on the 17/02/2006 with the following objectives;
- To provide for and regulate registration of companion animal professionals.
- To determine minimum standards of education for registration including criteria for the recognition of prior learning.
- To set a Code of Ethics and control professional conduct of members.
- To protect the interest of practitioners and the public in instances where any party was harmed or where injustice had occurred.
- To consistently improve the relationship between companion animals and humans, and in doing so enhances the animals’ welfare.
- To provide for representation and training of previously disadvantaged professionals.
This group of professionals advise clients on behaviour problems of companion animals and provide training sessions with individual owners and animals to correct unacceptable behaviour of animals which may lead to the detriment of the animals, other animals, people or the damage of property.
This group of professionals act on behalf of the community to look after the welfare of companion animals and they are supported by the Animal Protection Act No. 71 of 1962, the Performing Animals Protection Act No.24 of 1935 and the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act No. 169 0f 1993. These persons often have to submit legal reports in court cases.
This group of professionals uses animals to assist physical, mentally challenged persons and the elderly.
This group of professionals render a cosmetic and care service to owners of companion animals who require such special care.
This group of professionals render assistance to animal owners in training and better understanding effective communication with animals.