With a voice as comforting as his presence, you can count on Randal Cato to belt out a heartfelt tune for the many strays, surrenders and abandoned animals admitted into his pound, reassuring each furry resident they are finally safe.
Cape Town, South Africa (19 June 2025) – For nearly two decades, Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s “Singing Pound Supervisor”, Randal Cato, has been serenading and caring for the lost, abandoned, and unloved.
He’s the friendly face behind the voice you’ll often hear serenading four-legged guests at the animal welfare society for the past 19 years.
For Randal, working in this role has been a dream job, having first volunteered at the SPCA in Grade 6, helping out in the Wildlife Unit and the Hospital after school and on weekends.
“I volunteered all the way through to matric and was even honoured as the best volunteer at an awards ceremony in Bellville.”
In his adult years, Randal continued to serve animals and never stopped hoping to join the SPCA full-time.
“I handed in my CV and hoped for the best. Months later, I got the call. I’ll never forget the excitement in my mom’s voice when I told her. “You got your dream job,” she said. And she was right.”
Randal was offered a role in the hospital where he started as an Animal Welfare Assistant (AWA), and then spent three years working in the Mobile Clinic. After that, he became the Dispensary Clerk and later the Hospital Supervisor.
He left for a while to work at one of the biggest dog hotels and daycares in South Africa—but soon found himself drawn back to the place that feels most like home.
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“I returned to the SPCA, and in October, I’ll celebrate four years back as Pound Supervisor.”
At the Pound, Randal takes in strays, surrenders, abandoned animals, those confiscated by Inspectors, and animals impounded by Law Enforcement.
“My role is to ensure everything runs smoothly—from managing 18 team members, engaging with law enforcement officers, liaising with members of the public, to overseeing our Lost and Found department,” he explains.
While juggling the demands of all these tasks and admin, Randal still somehow finds the time to sing to the animals who could do with all the love he has to offer.
“I sing. No, really—I sing to the animals during admissions. It’s something small, but it makes a big difference.
“Animals are intuitive; they can sense when a human is stressed. Singing calms them—and calms me too. I hand out treats, I speak to them, and I reassure them that they’re safe now.”
What a guy!
For these animals, Randal is a comforter, a safe sanctuary and the first person who has ever really cared about them.
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