"One is humbled when you get to a place like Mdzananda. Like many animal welfare organisations, it has to perform miracles every day with very limited resources. For the last 28 years, they have served a very large area with big needs. Over time, it has added bit by bit to its facilities and services it offers the residents of Khayelitsha," says Alderman JP Smith.

During his tour of the facility, Alderman Smith visited the consulting rooms, hospital, operating theatre, cat ward and shelter, where he spent time interacting with many of the homeless dogs and puppies, according to the clinic.

"We were absolutely thrilled to receive Alderman Smith's valuable time to host him at our facility," says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Executive of the clinic. "And the dogs loved giving him slobbery kisses."

Mdzananda says that it is the only veterinary health care service and shelter in the vast Khayelitsha community, home to an estimated 300 000 companion animals. In addition to the clinic, it offers:

  • mobile clinics
  • an animal ambulance, and
  • various educational programmes to help the community become the best pet carers they can be. 

"Our vision is to see a community that cares for every animal," says du Plessis. "Our big dream is to build a brick-and-mortar clinic to replace our current shipping container establishment so that we can best serve the animals in need."

Alderman Smith expressed his excitement about Mdzananda's plans to rebuild its facilities into a permanent animal clinic. He has pledged his support, stating he would do whatever he can to help them achieve this vision, according to the clinic.

"Please consider giving them your support, whether financially, with donations in kind, or by adopting one of the 48 dogs and many cats in their shelter," Alderman Smith concludes.

For more information, visit www.mdzananda.co.za. You can also follow the Khayelitsha Animal Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, or on TikTok. 

*Image courtesy of contributor