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Sea Point Veterinarian contributes to Khayelitsha Animal Clinic to prevent it from shutting doors

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“I have a very special passion for welfare and I have been associated with Mdzananda and supporting them for at least 15 to 18 years,” says Dr Reena Cotton, “But when I heard that they had lost their largest funder and were considering closing their doors I knew that I had to step in and make a difference.”

Dr Reena Cotton, a loved and well known veterinarian in the Sea Point community opened her practice, Vetpoint, nearly 15 years ago. Being a private veterinary clinic treating small animals including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and the like, she has always had a heart for welfare organizations and  tried to assist wherever possible.

“Since before I opened Vetpoint and was working as a veterinarian at another practice, I have been supporting the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha in a non financial capacity. I support Mdzananda because it does a wonderful job in a community which might not otherwise have access to pet care. They go out to the community educating people on looking after animals and they do a wonderful job sterilizing and treating animals,” says Dr Cotton.

Dr Cotton supports various welfare organisations by participating in sterilisation drives, collecting donations and offering treatment to welfare organisations when they are in need.

“When I heard that Mdzananda had lost their largest funder I was worried. They told me about a campaign that they were launching to try raise enough funds to cover their deficit and I immediately wanted to be a part of it. I decided to do so by signing up as a Paw Member.”

Mdzananda received news from their largest funder that, due to the economic state of Europe and budget cuts, this organisation would be withdrawing their funding. This financial year the donation from the international funder was reduced by 1.4 million rand. The donation will reduce further in 2018 and then full extraction can be expected in 2019 where a 2.2 million rand yearly donation will be withdrawn.

“Of course losing our largest funder is extremely scary, especially since they were covering around 65% of our monthly expenses,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager of Mdzananda. “Even though it is a very big knock, we are still extremely grateful for the vast number of years that this organisation was able to support us.”

Though the thought of closing their doors had crossed their minds, the team at Mdzananda is positive that the public will stand together to support them in this difficult time.

Even though we have lost such a large amount of funding, the number of pets needing our help keeps increasing. As a result we actually need more funding this year in comparison to previous financial years,” says du Plessis.  “We want to stay proactive and as a result we have launched our largest campaign yet called “Become a #PawMember.”

Taking their funding loss as well as their increased funding need into consideration they need 3000 new Paw Members to sign up, each donating R100 per month.

“To date, four weeks after our campaign launch, we have had 280 new Paw Member sign ups. Even though this number is fantastic, it is a long way from the 3000 we require,” says du Plessis.

It was during this time that Dr Reena Cotton from Sea Point signed up as a Paw Member. A video was filmed showing Dr Cotton’s commitment to the cause and encouraging members of her community to sign up too.

“We created a video to express my commitment visually as I want to encourage more people to sign up.  We can all spare one meal out per month and instead donate R100 to Mdzananda,” says Dr Cotton.

Dr Cotton’s video can be seen on the Mdzananda Animal Clinic’s  youtube channel (https://youtu.be/_z7hYeIAkKo) . If you would like to become one of the 3000 Paw Members you can sign up at www.mdzanandasecure.co.za or contact info@mdzananda.co.za.

About Mdzananda Animal Clinic (www.mdzananda.co.za)

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic is a permanent, veterinary council registered, NPO animal clinic in Khayelitsha, a township just outside of Cape Town, South Africa, home to 400 000 people (2011 census) and their pets. The clinic serves an average of 700 animals per month through consultations, hospitalization, general and orthopaedic surgeries, continuous sterilizations, mobile clinics and an animal ambulance. Mdzananda has a strong focus on community empowerment and education to ensure responsible pet ownership into the future.

Source: South Africa The Good News

Keep pets warm this winter

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Image: Pixabay

With winter temperatures settling in Cape Town, the pets of the Khayelitsha township are feeling the effects. The team at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic have, for the third year in a row, created an easy way for the public to help keep these pets warm.

“We are excited to launch this year’s Wagging Winter Shoebox Drive. We know that the public wants to help the township pets in winter but does not always know how to do so. With this drive you can choose which pet you wish to help and pack a shoebox filled with goodies to keep them warm this winter,” says Marcelle du Plessis, fundraising and communications manager.

During winter the Mdzananda Animal Clinic is packed to the brim, she says, with pets that need medical assistance increasing during this time.

“Many township pets are not allowed into homes even when it is cold and raining outside. Many do not have kennels or any form of shelter and as a result the number of pets in hypothermic states arriving at our doors increases,” says Du Plessis.

“We are however happy to announce that we have seen an increase in community members investing in kennels for their furry friends. The clinic has also, in partnership with the Purple Kennel Project, been able to hand out a number of kennels for pets needing shelter. We will also be hosting a kennel building event on Mandela Day.”

During winter the clinic also sees an increase in animals with broken bones as people’s caution on the roads tends to decrease in rainy weather, resulting in animals being run over by cars.

With the Wagging Winter Shoebox Drive you can help one pet stay warm at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic this winter. “Not everyone has the funds to donate towards looking after a pet but many people are able to pack a shoebox full of goodies,” says Du Plessis.

The steps in packing your shoebox are easy:

1. Find a shoebox (or any box)

2. Choose which pet you would like to pack for (puppy, kitten, dog or cat)

3. Pack it full of goodies for your chosen pet

4. Drop it off at one of the drop spots

Goods suggested for placement in boxes include Hills A/D tinned food for recovering pets, Milko Pup or Kitty Milk for bottle-fed puppies and kittens, soft food, pellet food, a hot water bottle or heating beanbag, blankets, washing powder to wash blankets, a roll of black bags for daily disposal of dirty newspaper cage lining, leads and collars, chewy treats, catnip treats and cat litter.

The drop spots to deliver your shoeboxes include:

  • Mdzananda Animal Clinic, 21297 Govan Mbeki Road, Khayelitsha
  • 2A Pavilion Place, 281 Beach Road, Sea Point (24h security)
  • Mowbray Veterinary Clinic, 84 Durban Road
  • Woodstock: Contact Kerry-Lee on 082 297 6048
  • Capri Village: Contact Debora on 082 3666 726
  • Constantia Hills/Tokai: Contact Ann on 082 414 4771
  • Higgovale/Oranjezicht: Contact Stefanie on 082 390 1670

For more information, visit the Mdzananda Animal Clinic’s website at www.mdzananda.co.za.

Source: News 24

Last-minute reprieve for Khayelitsha dogs looking for homes

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Last - minute

Thabisa Makhaphela has been volunteering at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic for three months. She focuses on finding adoptions for the stray dogs. Photo: Kristine Liao

Mdzananda Animal Clinic’s appeal for help gets positive response across city.

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha was at double its capacity for stray dogs on Tuesday morning, and would have had to resort to euthanasia if people had not come forward to adopt or foster the dogs. But within hours of the clinic calling for help on Facebook, people offered the animals a safe place to stay.

“After yesterday’s post, we have got quite a few responses from people who are going to foster, so I am expecting to have 20 dogs move out of our shelter before end of next week,” said Marcelle du Plessis, the clinic’s fundraising and communications manager. “The amazing thing is, every time we get to a point of desperation, people do step in.”

When GroundUp visited the clinic Wednesday morning, three dogs had already been adopted that day, in addition to the six dogs that found new homes the day before. People have come from Mitchells Plain, Pinelands, Mowbray, and Sea Point.

Oscars Arc and AtFrits Pet Hotel & Daycare Centre, both of which act as adoption centres, have also agreed to bring dogs into their facilities. Oscars Arc is set to take six, and AtFrits to take 16.

AtFrits is primarily a creche for dogs, but since it is able to take in 276 animals, it dedicates space for animals that are in need. The dogs from Mdzananda Animal Clinic will receive the exact same care as customers’ dogs. They will have access to the dog park and be fed three times a day.

“For me, now, the only thing is to get the animals adopted,” said AtFrits owner Yanic Klue. “Money can’t buy the life of a dog so I don’t even think about that. The most important thing now is to get the animals in a safe environment and to get them adopted.”

The clinic has never euthanised an animal due to overcapacity, but it had never been as desperate to find adoptions and foster homes. It had 37 dogs on Tuesday morning, but only has the capacity to care for 15.

“It has been very quiet in the past month,” said Lisa Godana, the clinic’s administration assistant. In April, only eight dogs were adopted, compared to nine dogs in just the past two days as a result of the Facebook post.

Du Plessis said people handed over their pet if they were moving away or could no longer afford to take care of it anymore. People also tended to give up their dog when it was no longer a puppy. Du Plessis said a two-year-old dog was once handed in just because it was not young any more.

“Lately we find animals in our yard in the morning, so a lot of people are throwing animals over gates overnight,” du Plessis said. “People do come over and hand over pets physically, so we can still talk to them. But it’s quite hard to track people’s reasoning for abandoning pets.”

Since Mdzananda Animal Clinic is primarily a veterinary clinic, taking strays is not a service it intended to provide. However, the clinic has decided that it will not to take in any new strays until its numbers are stable again, du Plessis said.

“People who come with strays, we’re going to have to talk to them and try to get them to take responsibility for their own pets, or give them the option to put their animal to sleep,” du Plessis said.

As for the pets that continue to be thrown over the gates overnight, however, du Plessis said the clinic will have no other option than to take care of them.

Last - minute

Tiger, one of the clinic’s three pitbulls, is still waiting to be adopted after three weeks in the clinic. Photo: Kristine Liao

The clinic’s finance assistant Tashmin May is especially worried for the three pitbulls that are currently staying at the clinic, since they have to stay in their own kennels. Obama has been here since the beginning of April, and Lady and Tiger have been here for about three weeks.

“They are getting very depressed in the kennels and they need more space,” May said. “There’s the stigma that pitbulls are very aggressive, but they’re not really. It’s just the way that they’ve been brought up.”

May said one of the difficulties for finding a family for pitbulls is that it has to be a one-dog home. Another issue is that the clinic does not allow people living in the Cape Flats to adopt pitbulls, due to the prevalence of dog fighting in the area. She said people will steal pitbulls to enter them into fighting competitions, which people bet on.

Strays at Mdzananda on average stay at the clinic for two to three months before adoption, but have stayed as long as eight months, according to du Plessis.

Source: The Citizen

Khayelitsha animal clinic offers free vaccinations for World Rabies Day

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World Rabies Day

A local animal clinic in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, has offered free vaccinations to community members in a bid to prevent the spread of rabies.

The offer comes ahead of World Rabies Day on Saturday.

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic said it aimed to vaccinate 200 dogs on the day. The clinic said it was important to offer the vaccination because rabies was a deadly virus that could easily spread to people from the saliva of infected animals.

“99% of human cases result from dog bites and are fatal once symptoms occur,” the clinic said in a statement.

The virus causes extreme pain and discomfort in humans, and also leads to the death of the infected dog.

According to the clinic’s fundraising and communications manager, Marcelle du Plessis, the clinic will offer the vaccination despite the Western Cape not being a rabies hot spot.

“This does however not mean that we shouldn’t prepare against it. All it takes is for one infected dog to come into our community for the virus to spread rapidly,” said Du Plessis.

She said neighbouring provinces had previously reported cases of rabies which had forced them to be vigilant and strive to make Khayelitsha an immune community in the event of the area being affected by the virus.

“Dogs and cats should first be vaccinated for rabies between four and six months of age. They need a booster one year from that date. Thereafter they need to be vaccinated once every three years,” said Du Plessis.

Du Plessis said the majority of the pets that would be vaccinated would be first-timers, and their owners would receive vaccination cards indicating when to bring their pets for their booster shots.

Despite providing free vaccinations, the clinic has asked for donations to cover the costs of administering the vaccinations, including needles, syringes, gloves and veterinarian time.

The Mdzananda Clinic has received the vaccines free from the state vet.

Apart from just administering rabies shots, each pet will receive a vaccination against deadly diseases including the Parvo virus, distemper, parainfluenza and adenovirus.

Source: Times Live

Pet abandonment skyrockets amid lockdown Level 3

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Pet abandonment skyrockets amid lockdown Level 3

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha has recorded a sharp increase in dog abandonments since the implementation of lockdown level 3. The clinic say this is an unusual increase.

“During lockdown we barely had any pet handovers. We found this quite strange. Due to the economic state and people losing their jobs, we were expecting increased handovers during this time. We believed the decrease in handovers was due to people being at home more and having time to bond with their pets,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager. “However, as soon as lockdown level 3 came into effect, the pets started pouring in. We are not sure what changed. We can only think that the economic impact has now taken a great toll, forcing people to handover their animals as they can no longer look after them.”

Within the last week, the clinic received many mommy dogs with multiple puppies and many others, which has brought the shelter facility to capacity. The situation is under even more strain following the past weekend’s severe weather, which flooded their shelter unit.

“When it rains it pours in Khayelitsha. Our shelter and office flooded. Our homeless dogs were all moved into our hospital facility until the water dries up. This, however, puts strain on our hospital space as we are full to the brim with patients,” says du Plessis.

The clinic sees a boost in pet patients during the wintertime due to hypothermia and broken bones from reckless drivers knocking dogs over in bad weather.

“Our expenses always increase in winter – we need to have lights on longer, heaters on to keep the pets warm and more pet patients, but with the unexpected abandonments, it is even higher.”

It costs the clinic around R1500 to care for an abandoned pet in its first month. Many stay much longer than this.

The animal clinic is calling on the public to assist during this time. If you are able to help care for the abandoned pets, please make a donation to Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Standard Bank, Account number: 075595710, Branch: Rondebosch, Branch Code: 025009, Savings account, Reference: Winter +Your Name.

The clinic has also asked people to open their homes to foster animals. This will open space in their shelter facility to take in more animals in need instead of directing them to other animal welfare organisations.

To get in touch please contact info@mdzananda.co.za or visit www.mdzananda.co.za

Published by Kirsten Jacobs 
Source: cape{town}etc

Canine Parvo Virus is at an all-time high; pet parents urged to vaccinate

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Canine Parvo Virus is at an all-time high in the Cape; pet parents urged to vaccinate

Canine Parvo Virus (CPV) is once again making its way across the Western Cape province at a rapid rate and the plea to pet parents from clinics, vets and shelters is to vaccinate. Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha first alerted the Western Cape community of the spike on their social media pages and website last week when they began to see an increase in Parvo cases at their clinic.

While it may be contained to certain areas right now, it is only a matter of time before the virus spreads, cautions Dr. Guy Fyvie, Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s veterinary advisor. “CPV is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their faeces. Dogs become infected through oral contact with CPV in faeces, infected soil, clothes, hands, shoes, and insects (flies). Studies have shown that infection may also be spread by wind.”

Susan Wishart, general manager at Mdzananda Animal Clinic explains the increase in CPV cases around this time every year is because the virus survives better in warm temperatures, making summer a perfect environment. “Once Parvo is in the environment, it is extremely persistent and yards, furniture, blankets, beds, etc must be thoroughly disinfected with F10 or bleach.”

Vaccination is the only means of CPV prevention. Dr Fyvie advises that puppies should receive their first vaccination from six weeks of age with two more vaccinations thereafter at 9 and 12 weeks. “If your dog hasn’t been properly vaccinated (received the full course at the correct intervals), and they come into contact with an animal infected by CPV, they’re at a very high risk of contracting the disease themselves.”

The virus causes severe damage to a dog’s intestinal wall and increases the likelihood of a secondary intestinal infection. There is no cure for parvoviral gastroenteritis as it is caused by a virus. Your vet can only treat the symptoms with intensive care, including fluid and electrolyte support (drip), combined with strong anti-vomiting drugs and antibiotics. 

If your dog displays any of the following symptoms, head to a veterinary professional immediately:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting, Diarrhoea (often bloody and foul smelling)
  • Listless or unusually lethargic
  • Dull, glassy-eyed stare

Dr. Fyvie explains that while there are certain breeds thought to be more susceptible to CPV such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Pitbulls, the virus is certainly not breed-specific and pet parents shouldn’t take this latest scare lightly. “It’s also important to note,” he adds, “CPV has about a 10-day incubation period and symptoms only present themselves 10 days after exposure. So, keep a close eye on your pet, and if you suspect any unusual behaviour, go straight to your vet.”

For more from Hill’s visit their website

Media contact:

Republic PR

Julia Rice

julia@republicpr.co.za

 

 

#BeMyValentine – Homeless pets offering love

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#BeMyValentine – Homeless pets offering love

Pictures: Ballito and Mamsie

It’s the month of love and the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha is encouraging members of the public to show some love to homeless pets in need. Their #BeMyValentine campaign features dogs and cats up for adoption looking for sponsorship to make their Valentine’s day a happy one.  

“Valentine’s Day has become an extremely commercialised event with people spending large amounts of money on gifts, chocolates and flowers. This year we are encouraging people to allow a homeless pet to be their Valentine by sponsoring them and showing them some love,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager.

If you’re feeling out of love this Valentine’s month, head over to Mdzananda’s website or Facebook page to meet their tail wagging bachelors and sassy bachelorettes which you can sponsor.

BeMyValentine – Homeless pets offering love

If you would like to sponsor a pet for Valentine’s Day visit www.mdzananda.co.za to see all the pets needing sponsorship, contact marcelle@mdzananda.co.za or make a donation to Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Standard Bank, Account number: 075595710, Branch: Rondebosch, Branch Code: 025009, Reference: Pet’sName +YourName. All pets are also up for adoption.

About Mdzananda Animal Clinic (www.mdzananda.co.za)

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic is a permanent, veterinary council registered, NPO animal clinic in Khayelitsha, a township just outside of Cape Town, South Africa, home to 400 000 people (2011 census) and their pets. The clinic serves an average of 700 animals per month through consultations, hospitalization, general and orthopaedic surgeries, continuous sterilizations, mobile clinics and an animal ambulance. Mdzananda has a strong focus on community empowerment and education to ensure responsible pet ownership into the future.

Source: Mdzananda Animal Clinic

Dog starves due to Covid-19

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) Dog starves due to Covid-19

Yoliswa Makalima, a resident from the Khayelitsha community, visited the Mdzananda Animal Clinic to hand her dog over. Her dog, a small Staffordshire bullterrier cross named Nonjana, was extremely skinny, spine and bones protruding. Yoliswa was handing her over because she had no money to feed her dog and wanted Nonjana to have a better life.

“She is such a sweet girl,” said Ms Makalima. “I really don’t want to let her go.”

Yoliswa lost her job due to Covid-19 restrictions and her income is down to zero. She is the only income earner in her household. She worked as a cashier at a grocery store. 

“We could see Yoliswa didn’t want to lose her dog. She clearly loved Nonjana. We decided to help her keep her dog,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager of Mdzananda Animal Clinic.
 
The Clinic had received dog food donations specifically for people like Yoliswa. They gave her a bag of dog food and admitted Nonjana to their hospital for sterilisation, free of charge.

“We don’t usually offer free services,” says du Plessis, “but we will never turn a suffering pet away.”  At our clinic we charge just R150 for an operation. These operations can cost us anything from R350 to R5000. We believe that charging a small fee helps to create pet owner responsibility. If people are not able to pay that fee, we ask them for any financial contribution they are able to make.

Ms Makalima wanted to share her story so that she could be a voice for many animal lovers who find themselves in her situation.

The clinic reports that there are many people needing to hand their pets over due to losing their jobs or Covid-19 effects. Another example is that of Jazz and Gushani who were handed over because their owner died of Covid-19. They were very confused when they entered the shelter.“Covid-19 has been tough on everyone, including animal welfare organisations. It is thanks to individuals making donations that we can help pets like Nonjana, Jazz and Gushani,” says du Plessis.

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic is a non-profit veterinary clinic treating up to 1000 pets per month through consultations, hospitilisation, surgery, sterilisation, mobile clinics, an animal ambulance and pet adoptions. They have a strong focus on education and working with the community to create an environment where everyone cares for animals and sees them as companions. In October 2021 the clinic will be celebrating 25 years of existence.

If you would like to support their work a donation can be made to Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Standard Bank, Account number: 075595710, Branch: Rondebosch, Branch Code: 025009, Bank transit (SWIFT) Number: SBZAZAJJ, Savings account, Reference: Covid Help +Your Name. For more information or to adopt any of the stranded pets contact info@mdzananda.co.za or visit www.mdzananda.co.za.

Source: Mdzananda Animal Clinic 

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

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

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 her paws and scratched my face from forehead to chin. That was our meeting. Two weeks later I couldn’t get her out of my mind and I brought her home,” says McCormick. 

Today Khaya joins all the Chicks Who Trail runs. “Every week she goes and greets everybody with her ears back. She’s always happy to see everyone. Happiness is 100% what she brings to this group.”

Bryony heard of Mdzananda’s challenges during Covid-19. They lost funding, were robbed three times, were hijacked twice and are losing monthly donors due to hard times. She signed up as a Paw Member and committed to donating R100 per month. She then took it upon herself and Khaya to encourage all runners, especially those running with rescue dogs, to sign up as Paw Members. 

A heartwarming and inspiring video was compiled featuring Bryony and Khaya and the adventures they have been on. Bryony speaks about her experience of adopting a Mdzananda dog and why she supports the work they do.

“Our organisation serves up to 1000 community pets per month that would otherwise have little to no access to veterinary services,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager. “We help find homes for stray pets and have a strong focus on community empowerment and education to ensure for responsible pet ownership into the future.”

Du Plessis says that Covid-19 has brought many challenges. They hope to have 1000 Paw Members sign up, each donating R100 (or whatever they can afford) per month. To date 610 members have signed up. “We have nearly reached our goal to ease lockdown struggles and hope another 290 members will open up their hearts to township pets.”

Bryony and Khaya’s video can be seen on the Mdzananda Animal Clinic’s Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5DU4I88eV0), Facebook and Instagram. To sign up as a Paw Member, visit www.mdzanandasecure.co.za, email info@mdzananda.co.za or visit their website at www.mdzananda.co.za to find out more.

“I hope that my video will inspire runners and animal lovers to sign up as Paw Members so that the Clinic can help more community pets,” says McCormick.

Source: Mdzananda Animal Clinic

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

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

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. This year people can purchase customised e-cards to sponsor a sterilisation in honour of their mom,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager.

The cost of one card is R350 which will covers the cost of performing one sterilisation of a dog or cat in Khayelitsha.

“Ordering an e-card for your mom is easy. Simply make a donation of R350 to our organisation. Email the proof of payment to marcelle@mdzananda.co.za along with your mom’s name, your name, a short message you wish to include and your mom’s email. We will send your custom e-card to your mom,” says du Plessis.

Mdzananda aims to sterilise 100 pets through funds raised selling these custom e-cards.

“Working in a community where there is an estimate of 300 000 companion animals, sterilisation is of utmost importance. Research shows that an unsterilised pet and its off-spring can produce over 60 000 lives in 6 years,” says du Plessis.

If you would like to purchase your custom e-card contact marcelle@mdzananda.co.za before 5pm on Saturday the 8th and make your donation to Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Standard Bank, Account number: 075595710, Branch: Rondebosch, Branch Code: 025009, Reference: MDay +Your Name.

Mdzananda would also like to encourage household dogs and cats to send their human mothers e-cards. Being a mom to a fur child requires a lot of love, patience and commitment. They will, however, need a helping human hand to make this possible.

Source: Mdzananda