Animal clinic needs help
Funding shortage for medicine, blankets
CAPE Town has enjoyed a significant amount of rain over the past few weeks. According to the city council, rain in the catchment areas has increased Western Cape dam levels to a progressive 29.8% and the rainfall for this year is much higher than the same time last year.
But as much as we are celebrating the fantastic rainfall, winter is always a challenging time at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha, says the clinic’s fundraising and communications manager, Marcelle du Plessis.
“Pets needing medical assistance tend to increase during this time due to many cases of hypothermia showing up at our door.
“We also see an increased number of broken bones as people tend to drive badly in rainy weather, knocking over animals,” she said. There are an estimated 130000 to 300 000 pets in Khayelitsha.
Du Plessis said the figures were based on the 2011 census counting 400000 residents, and the more realistic figure of closer to 1 million people living in the township. Each household tends to have two pets and an average of six people.
“Apart from veterinary treatment we have also been able to hand out a number of kennels to pets without shelter. We will be hosting a kennel-building event on Mandela Day for more kennels to be built and handed to pets in need,” she said.
“We are grateful to see that many community pet owners have invested in providing their pets with shelter or allowing their pets to sleep indoors during rainy weather, but many do not have this luxury.
Many of them also have no access to warm blankets,” she said.
The Mdzananda Animal Clinic has partnered with the At Frits Dog Hotel to ensure that as many pets as possible receive warm blankets this winter. They need support to make this possible.
Due to budget cuts and the economic state in Europe, Mdzananda has lost its largest funder, who was covering around 65% of their monthly expenses.
“In this financial year the funding was reduced by 64%. This will reduce further until full extraction in 2019, taking with them a donation of R2.2 million per year,” said Du Plessis
The AtFrits Dog Hotel heard about the clinic’s funding crisis as well as the need for support during winter, and decided to partner with Mdzananda.
“When we heard that Mdzananda had lost their main funder I was extremely worried. They do essential work in Khayelitsha and we cannot allow them to close their doors due to lack of funding. I knew the At Frits team and I had to help,” says Yanic Klue, owner of the At Frits Dog Hotel.
Mdzananda launched their “Become a #PawMember campaign” on March27 with the aim of raising 3000 Paw Members, each donating R100 per month to cover their financial deficit.
“I just love Mdzananda’s Paw Member campaign. It is proactive and we wanted to become a part of it,” said Klue.
At Frits has committed to donate one warm winter blanket for every new person who signs up as a Paw Member.
“In this way we are not only helping Mdzananda financially, we are also ensuring that the pets are warm this winter,” Klue said. “The winter blankets are made by underprivileged ladies, so each blanket makes an even larger impact.”
At Frits and Mdzananda launched a video showing the work done by Mdzananda, and the At Frits team speak of why they support the organisation. The video is visible on Mdzananda’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By_ HPwlaTlM&t=63s) – Staff Reporter