Entries by Bronwyn Hayes

The Meaning Behind Your Cat’s Meow: 5 Distinct Cat Sounds & Noises

July 1, 2022 in , , , , /by

When you share a home with a feline friend, you hear many different cat sounds throughout the day. And although the meaning of some noises is easily discernible (circling her food dish while looking up at you, for example), it’s not always that obvious. In some cases you may be the pet parent of a particularly chatty kitty. This is especially true with older furry friends, as cats become more vocal as they age or their hearing worsens. Here’s what they are expressing with the following distinctive cat sounds: Meow As a pet parent you already know your cat emits […]

Bad Excuses for Giving Pets Away!

June 30, 2022 in , , /by

Animal welfare organisations have heard it all, no jokes! Surrendering animals is an all-year-round thing, but especially the first few weeks into the new year, shelters and rescues are overwhelmed, so much, that some have to say “we are full” and can’t take in any more. It is just heartbreaking! What follows, might sound ridiculous to you, but if you volunteer in animal welfare you have heard all this! HELLO.  YOU HAVE REACHED THE KENNELS.   Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes […]

What Nutrients Can Help a Pet’s Immune System?

June 29, 2022 in , /by

Everyone wants to keep their pet healthy, and the right nutrition can play a major role in making that happen. Just like humans, dogs and cats are susceptible to their own viruses and infections, which is why it’s important to choose a dog food or cat food that is formulated with nutrients that proactively support a natural immune response. When checking a pet food label, here are the top nutrients to help keep your furry friend’s immune system strong today and tomorrow. The Power of Antioxidants Your pet’s body — much like your own — is constantly working to remove toxic, […]

Are you a responsible pet guardian?

June 28, 2022 in , /by

ANIMALS 101 – A USEFUL GUIDE TO SEE WHETHER YOU MEET THE CRITERIA OF A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER. The privilege of sharing your life with an animal companion comes with responsibilities and this should not be taken lightly.  In addition to meeting your pet’s basic needs, there are some extremely important rules of responsible pet ownership you need to know, to keep your pet in good health and enjoying life. You are your pet’s whole world. Animal welfare is always receiving surrender requests because of “time”. Your pet has all the time in the world for you, and you promised them forever […]

The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) continues to see an unprecedented outbreak of Rabies across the country.

June 27, 2022 in , , /by

South Africa, Johannesburg: Since June 2021, the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) has seen an alarming increase in Rabies cases across all nine provinces. High-risk dog rabies cycles are focused in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces, as well as the border between Lesotho and Free State Province. To date specifically in the Eastern Cape region, reports from the National Rabies Advisory Group (RAG) suggest that the Eastern Cape has had 1 195 laboratory test-positive animal cases (ARC-OVR and Allerton PVL laboratories) and according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), eight probable human deaths have been reported […]

Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?

June 21, 2022 in , , /by

Animal 101 – Pros and cons of pet insurance We all hope our pets will live long, happy and healthy lives. Yet the reality is, unexpected accidents, illnesses and other pet medical situations happen. Animal welfare organizations often have to help, because an animal is suffering and their owners did not prepare financially for an emergency. For this reason, it could be beneficial to take out some pet insurance at a low premium every month. When you decide to shop for pet insurance coverage, it’s important to fully understand the exclusions and other limitations of the plan you’re considering. Some […]

Youth dog walk, bringing the love of dogs to disadvantaged children

June 8, 2022 in , /by

Two- and four-leggeds will be strutting their stuff along the Strandfontein Pavilion this Youth Day, the 16th of June 2022. A Youth Dog Walk, hosted by Mdzananda Animal Clinic and Remnant Youth, will bring the love of dogs to children from difficult backgrounds.  “The event aims at brining the youth of Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain together through the fun activity of walking dogs,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Executive. “Most of these children come from difficult backgrounds, many never having experienced love. The unconditional love of a four-legged friend is priceless.” The event addresses both animal and youth […]

How the litter in your garbage can affects animals?

June 2, 2022 in , , /by

Mismanaged trash has a devastating effect on the environment, but also a high risk for injury or death to animals. Even though you might throw your trash in the garbage bin, where they land eventually can still impact the environment and hurt animals. Littering, in general, is bad for the environment, but today we will focus on what you can do when disposing of litter in your garbage bin, to prevent animals from suffering.  HOW DOES LITTER AFFECT ANIMALS? Litter can negatively affect animal life in many ways. One of the most common effects of litter on animals is entanglement. […]

Is It Safe to Give My Dog or Cat Fruit?

June 1, 2022 in , , , , , , , /by

There are many benefits of including fruit in a healthy human diet, but as a pet parent, you may ask yourself: can my pets eat fruit? If you’re tempted to feed these tasty treats to your furry friend, you’ll be happy to know that you can include fruit in your pet’s snack routine, as long as you stick to those fruits that are safe. Some fruits can be toxic to your pet, so it’s very important to double-check with your veterinarian before sharing your fruit salad. Also, remember that it is very important to consider your pet’s overall diet. If […]

Doubling pet sterilisations to control skyrocketing population in townships

May 24, 2022 in , , , , , , /by

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha has launched a programme to sterilise more animals and curb the growing pet population in Khayelitsha. According to their estimations, approximately 300 000 companion animals live in the township, many of which are unsterilised. On the 4th of January they launched a satellite sterilisation clinic in partnership with Blue Downs Animal Hospital in a neighbouring suburb to fight against the population growth. “The community’s pet population is skyrocketing. Backyard breeding is rife as puppy and kitten sales are income generators. There is also a massive increase in the township’s size and population as people […]