The leading reason pets are surrendered in SA isn't lack of love—it's a lifestyle lie you're telling yourself.
You see yourself hiking the Drakensberg every weekend. But your average Monday is spent in Sandton traffic and cooking by candlelight during load shedding.
You have 168 hours a week. Subtract sleep, work, and the commute. What is left is ALL your pet gets. Is it actually enough for a puppy?
Energy is physical stamina. Drive is the 'need' to work. A Border Collie doesn't just need a run; they need a mission or they'll find one (like your couch).
High walls in the suburbs keep pets safe, but they also keep them bored. A bored German Shepherd becomes a reactive neighbor's nightmare without mental work.
When the power goes, routines break. Can you entertain a high-drive dog in the dark without a TV? Your pet doesn't care about the grid status.
Can't do the morning walk? A professional walker in SA costs R150–R250 per session. If the budget doesn't fit the needs, the breed won't either.
15 minutes of 'scatter feeding' in the grass tires a dog more than a 5km run. Efficiency is the only way for busy professionals to survive.
Chewed door frames? Endless barking? Nipping? These aren't 'bad' behaviors; they are screams for stimulation from a pet whose needs aren't met.
City living means no 'self-service' yard. Every potty break is a leashed walk. If you aren't a morning person, a puppy is a recipe for disaster.
Want the love without the 10km run? A senior dog (7+ years) often fits a South African office lifestyle better than any high-energy puppy.
It's about how much of your actual, tired, mid-week self you can give. A perfect pet match isn't an achievement; it's a daily commitment to honesty.
Download our 168-hour audit template and find the breed that actually fits your real life.