Free & affordable vet care in South Africa
85% of South Africa's dogs have no access to a vet.
Whether you live in Sandton or a township, this site helps you find a Community Veterinary Clinic, understand real costs, and plan for emergencies before they happen.
Based on SAVA & public data · Updated June 2026
How we can help
Find the right starting point
Whether you need care today, want to understand costs, or are thinking ahead — we've built a tool for each situation.
Find a free or low-cost clinic
Locate your nearest SAVA Community Veterinary Clinic — vaccinations, sterilisations, parasite control at low or no cost.
Search clinics →Understand what vet care costs
Real South African price ranges for common procedures — so you know what to expect before you walk in.
View cost guides →Explore pet insurance
Honest, no-pressure information about what insurance covers, what it costs, and whether it makes sense for you.
Learn more →Who this site is for
Built for pet owners who need straight answers
South Africa has no state-run veterinary hospitals. For the estimated six million dog owners who cannot afford private vet care — or simply don't have a practice nearby — accessing basic animal healthcare has always been a serious challenge.
This site maps every active SAVA Community Veterinary Clinic, explains how to access them, and gives honest, region-specific guidance on what private vet care actually costs. Whether you're a first-time puppy owner in Tembisa, a cat rescuer in Khayelitsha, or a farmer with working dogs near Limpopo — this resource was built specifically for you. No gatekeeping, no jargon, no upselling.
This site is for:
- Pet owners in townships and rural areas
- People who can't afford private vet fees
- First-time pet owners unsure of costs
- Anyone whose nearest private vet is too far
- Rescue organisations looking for referrals
- Farmers with working dogs needing basic care
Our mission
A resource built around the real problem
This domain was originally used by SAVA's Community Veterinary Clinic programme. The CVC clinics still operate and do extraordinary work — private veterinarians donating their time to bring vaccinations, sterilisations, and parasite control to communities where private vet care is not an option.
We have rebuilt this site as an independent resource that expands on that mission. We point people to CVC clinics first, and only discuss insurance and private care for services that CVCs don't cover.
Breed guides
Health guides by breed
Every breed has different health priorities. Our guides help you know what to watch for, what care typically costs, and when to act — for your specific dog or cat.
Emergency contacts
If your pet needs help right now
Don't wait. Call the nearest facility that handles emergencies. Many SPCA branches and university vet faculties operate 24-hour services.