A hero helper

HEROES of humanity are few and far between, but heroes of the animal kingdom are even less common. Sihle Jonas, 28, is a resident of Khayelitsha and a dog lover who has been using the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in the area to treat her three dogs, Earl, BBM and Blue, for years.

Jonas was unaware that the clinic was an NPO relying on external funding, and was saddened to hear that it was in dire need of help after losing its biggest source of funding.

“When I saw the horrible news I knew that I had to do my part. The clinic was asking for people to sign up as monthly donors and I decided to become one,” said Jonas.

She signed up for Mdzananda’s Paw

Member campaign, which has members donate R100 to the clinic every month to help it stay open and continue to help animals in the area.

Marcelle du Plessis, fund-raising and communications manager at Mdzananda, said: “We were so excited to have our first local community member join the Paw Member family.

“Even though we work in a very impoverished community where most people cannot afford much, there are some people who can and it is inspiring to see such people help others in their community.”

In honour of Jonas being the first local to sign up for the Paw Member campaign, the clinic have uploaded a video to YouTube detailing the story about how her dog Blue was run over by car, and had to be kept in the clinic for three weeks to make a full recovery.

“I hope that my video will inspire more people to sign up as Paw Members so that Mdzananda can help more community pets,” said Jonas.

To date, the Paw Member campaign has accumulated more than 420 members, out of a required 3 000.

If you want to become a member and donate R100 a month to Mdzananda, visit the clinic’s website – www.mdzanandasecure.co.za – and fill in the debit order form. After signing up, you will receive a Paw Member certificate, and an animal will send you a birthday card.