Entries by Bronwyn Hayes

The importance of cat’s play

May 14, 2021 in , /by

Our furry felines get a bad rap for being lazy, sleeping the day away, and generally turning their noses up at most things. This is thanks to the likes of famous kitties like Garfield and Grumpy Cat. And while many cats are quite content to sit on a windowsill all day long, taking naps and watching the world go by, this doesn’t mean cats don’t need or enjoy playing games. “What many pet parents don’t realise is that when it comes to cats, play isn’t just about fun and games. For cats in the wild, the act of play is […]

Cape Flats cat owners warned of rise in incurable Feline Leukaemia Virus

May 13, 2021 in , /by

THE Animal Welfare Society of SA has issued a warning to cat owners that they have noticed a worrying rise in the number of unvaccinated cats testing positive for Feline Leukaemia Virus. The organisation said that Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) is one of the leading causes of death in cats and over the past few weeks they’ve noticed the increase of cases on the Cape Flats. “There is sadly no cure for FeLV, but this can be preventable. FeLV only affects cats and cannot be transmitted to people, dogs, or other animals. “It is passed from one cat to another […]

Kenya Donkey Keepers Protect Animals from Slaughter for Medicine

May 12, 2021 in , /by

In large parts of Africa, including Kenya, the humble donkey has been under threat from poaching for allegedly magic potions. To discourage thieves, Kenya last year banned donkey slaughterhouses and this month is holding its first donkey festival to encourage their protection. In Magadi, Kenya, donkey keepers are celebrating their animals at a special festival. The donkey, they say, is the workhorse of their community. Pilores Maberi, a resident of Magadi, has been keeping donkeys for a year now. “A donkey is the Masai people’s car. We carry heavy loads in Magadi. We go to sell feed for our children, […]

Cape Town proposes new rule for pets – what you should know

May 10, 2021 in , /by

The City of Cape Town has asked for public comment on its Animal Keeping Policy, which includes updated regulations around pet ownership. First introduced in 2005, the policy relates to: The principles of animal welfare; Responsibilities of pet owners and the public at large; Complaints relating to animals; Partnerships between the city and pet owners; Animal keepers; and The animal welfare sector, among others. “The city and animal welfare organisations are increasingly spending huge amounts of budgets on health and safety programmes dedicated to animals,” said chairperson of the city’s Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Mzwakhe Nqavashe. “We have also […]

Mother’s Day gifts reduce unwanted litters of puppies and kittens

May 7, 2021 in , /by

On Sunday the 9th of May we celebrate Mother’s Day – a day honoring all mothers and the role they play in their families and society. This Mother’s Day the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha is using the festive opportunity to reduce the number of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens born into the world without mothers to look after them. “Mother’s Day is about honouring the hard work mothers do, however, the day has become an extremely commercialised event. Shops spend large amounts of money on promoting gifting ideas and shoppers spend hundreds of rands on chocolates and flowers. […]

Whet your pet’s appetite with the new Monty & Me wet food range

May 5, 2021 in , /by

Whet your pet’s appetite with the new Monty & Me wet food range Montego Pet Nutrition has expanded its high-quality, affordable Monty & Me Essential range by launching a wet food, all-breed option for adult dogs and cats. The lip-smacking Monty & Me Essential Wet food is a complete, balanced, and nutritious meal that will satisfy your pet – without breaking the bank.  With unique formulations for dogs and cats, the Chicken Meatloaf flavoured wet food is a great source of added moisture and is packed with the essential nutrients that your four-legged friend needs. “The Monty & Me range […]

American showjumper given 10-year ban for using electric spurs on his horses

April 3, 2021 in , /by

  American showjumper Andrew Kocher has received a 10-year suspension for using electric spurs on his horses after a tribunal by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Kocher, who has represented the US internationally at the Nations Cup, was also disqualified from eight events between June 2018 and November 2019, fined 10,000 Swiss Francs ($11,000) and ordered to pay costs. An FEI investigation was opened into Kocher after a whistleblower alleged he used an electric shock device at several competitions. FEI regulations state that subjecting a horse to any kind of electric shock is considered as horse abuse. Kocher was provisionally […]

Toads in the hole as Cape Town gets tunnels for amorous amphibians

April 30, 2021 in , /by

  Cape Town has what are believed to be SA’s first tunnels built especially for toads. The two tunnels have been built near Zeekoevlei so endangered western leopard toads can avoid being squashed by vehicles while crossing the road. Three more tunnels are planned, and walls will be built to guide toads into them when they migrate towards the vlei during breeding season in August. The Cape Town Environmental Education Trust, which is in charge of the “Western Cape leopard toad underpass project”, said it hoped other animals would also use the tunnels to cross the road safely. “Five underpass […]

Marine life is fleeing the equator to cooler waters—this could trigger a mass extinction event

April 29, 2021 in , /by

The tropical water at the equator is renowned for having the richest diversity of marine life on Earth, with vibrant coral reefs and large aggregations of tunas, sea turtles, manta rays and whale sharks. The number of marine species naturally tapers off as you head towards the poles. Ecologists have assumed this global pattern has remained stable over recent centuries—until now. Our recent study found the ocean around the equator has already become too hot for many species to survive, and that global warming is responsible. In other words, the global pattern is rapidly changing. And as species flee to cooler water towards the poles, it’s […]

Adopted dog, Khaya, becomes mascot for Khayelitsha based animal clinic.

April 28, 2021 in , /by

  Bryony McCormick adopted Khaya, a black and white pavement special, from the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha. Since then, Khaya has become the four-legged leader of a trail running community called Chicks Who Trail in Cape Town. Now Khaya has become a mascot for the animal clinic too to help them through the difficult times of Covid-19. “I attended a kennel building event at Mdzananda for Madiba day. I wasn’t planning on adopting a dog – I just wanted to say hi to the shelter pets – and this little thing came bounding over all the dogs, lifted up […]