The Mdzananda Animal Clinic and Shelter in Khayelitsha is facing a critical situation as their capacity has been surpassed, prompting an urgent appeal for the public to adopt dogs and cats, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The shelter is housing 34 dogs, 15 cats, and an alarming 17 kittens, far exceeding their comfortable capacities of 30 dogs and 20 cats.
Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Executive at Mdzananda, expressed her concern, stating, ‘We are urgently asking the public to adopt. We have no more space and animals keep being surrendered. We do our best to refer people to other organisations, but there is no guarantee that animals will actually get there, and we worry deeply for their safety,’
The situation has compelled Mdzananda to form emergency partnerships with various local organisations such as HART, Animal Welfare Society Helderberg, and DARG to provide relief by taking some animals into their care.
Nevertheless, Du Plessis emphasised that even with these crucial partnerships, the shelter is still struggling to keep up with the overwhelming demand for space and resources. ‘The only long-term solution is for people to step forward and offer these animals loving, permanent homes,’ she added.
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Established as primarily an animal hospital, Mdzananda serves an impressive average of 1,500 pets each month through consultations, hospitalisation, and even an animal ambulance service.
The shelter was introduced only a few years ago, echoing the rising need within the local community. ‘Wherever possible, we try to help community members keep their animals,’ explained Du Plessis. ‘For example, we’ve built fences around people’s yards so that dogs can stay safely at home instead of being surrendered out of fear of accidents,’
However, with continuous financial strain alongside an upsurge in animal surrenders, the shelter now finds itself in the heartbreaking position of having to turn potential adopters away.
‘As the only animal shelter in the vast community of Khayelitsha, this is heartbreaking. We never want to say no, but right now we simply have nowhere to put more animals,’ lamented Du Plessis.
For those who are able to help, Mdzananda urges members of the public to consider opening their hearts and homes to an animal in need.
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Picture: Supplied
