Call to help abandoned, injured pets

THE festive season has started and so has the busiest and most difficult time at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha.

“Numbers of pets that are run over by cars rocket. Pet abandonment shoots up. And the numbers of injured and sick patients escalate,” says Marcelle du Plessis, fund-raising and communications manager.

Queen is one of them. Just under 1-year-old, she was one of the first festive season motor vehicle accident patients seen by the clinic. She is now safely in the care of the organisation and recovering well.

“Christmas and the end of the year is a difficult time at Mdzananda. People seem to drive more recklessly, knocking pets over.

“This results in severe injuries needing orthopaedic operations. One such operation costs us a minimum of R2000,” said Du Plessis.

During the festive season many Khayeliltsha residents go to the Eastern Cape to visit family, leaving their animals behind with friends. Often these friends do not have experience in looking after animals.

“We receive many animals that have fallen sick due to insufficient nutrition or non-pet friendly living conditions. During this time we cover all their costs as owners aren’t around to donate a small amount towards their pet’s treatment. Often, these pets are not collected when their owners return, and they enter our stray programme,” said du Plessis.

Mdzananda is asking the public to support it by making a donation. For more information contact info@ mdzananda.co.za or visit www. mdzananda.co.za |