Mdzananda Animal Clinic
| Location | Khayelitsha, Cape Town |
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| Field | Primary health care for animals / pets |
| Director | Jane Levenson |
| Website | No website available |
Traditionally, communities in townships and informal settlements have long been deprived of basic welfare services, including animal welfare.
This has resulted in the poorest sectors of society, where the need is most pressing, having little or no access to any veterinary services for their pets. Many pet owners try to access veterinary facilities in the “white suburbs” or welfares. Unfortunately, they often do not have transport or the financial resources to make use of these services.
Mdzananda through its primary healthcare, sterilization drive and educational projects, is working to redress these imbalances.
The Clinic provides regular Primary Health Care services for impoverished communities in the following ways:
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Main Clinic / Hospital in Mandela Park : open seven days a week.
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Mobile Clinics
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Weekly mobile clinics are held in the following areas:
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Mandelabos, Site B, Site C, Driftsands, Ekepumileni, Delft, E and C sections Khayelitsha.
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The staff alternate between working on site at the containers and running the mobile clinics. Many of the sites are in poor underdeveloped, under serviced areas, with a shifting population and continual influxes of new, unsettled people. For this reason, cases of malnutrition and unwanted litters are high and the need for primary health care is very prevalent.
Vaccination of domestic animals
To prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as the parvo virus, distemper and rabies. (Rabies has outrageous consequences should it impact on other animal and human populations.)
State Vet- Rabies
Mdzananda was approached by the state vet and asked to implement a vaccination programme.They supplied the clinic with Rabies vaccinations which are being administered to dogs attending the clinic. This is an on going programme and the community is being made aware that these vaccinations are both available and necessary.
Deworming and Dipping
To prevent internal and external parasites. Once the pets are rid of these parasites their health improves significantly.
Veterinary treatment for diseases of both pets and livestock
Most informal settlement residents currently have no access to such a service due to distance and financial constraints.
Sterilisation
Intensive sterilization campaigns prevent the birth of litters, which no community can sustain.
Re-homing of unwanted animals
Unwanted animals are removed and placed in suitable homes.
Emergency visits
These are undertaken as and when required. For instance, when pets are knocked down by a motor vehicle and require urgent intervention. We often have to fetch the animals and stabilize them on drips until we have them hospitalized at the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) or private veterinary clinic.
Humane Euthanasia of terminal animals
Terminally ill pets are humanely euthanased.
Humane education
It has long been established that there is a direct relationship between animal cruelty and violence. Mdzananda’s work in communities, and especially humane education to children from violence-torn communities, creates empathy for others. The impact of humane education and access to basic healthcare for pets is a critical first step in preventing crime and violence. Through education we try Instilling awareness and respect for the environment, by gradually creating a culture of payment and responsibility for such services.
Why we do it
To alleviate suffering and improve the lives of animals and their care-givers.
What makes it work
Consultation with, and with the support of, relevant stakeholders. Communities are encouraged to be involved at all levels: Local councils, provincial government, community forums and civil society, as well as networking with other organizations that provide community upliftment. Finally, by soliciting the support and assistance of the private sector and relevant companies, who recognize the importance of the work done by Mdzananda.
Maintenance Plan
A well thought out maintenance plan is implemented in each area. Initially we aim to sterilize the bulk of pets in each community in as short a time as possible. This results in a more manageable pet population to service. Once the bulk of the sterilizations have been completed, continued regular visits are essential.
Volunteers from each community will be trained in basic animal care. The involvement of volunteers is essential to ensuring the continuation of any community-based project. Training of volunteers is ongoing, and they are encouraged to participate in all Mdzananda Animal Clinic activities.
Mdzananda aims improve our current facility. Currently the clinic consists of three shipping containers: an operating theatre and hospital, a consulting room and a store/isolation facility. We hope tto build a permanent structure on the land which we currently own and reside on.
Local and visiting veterinarians are encouraged to participate in providing veterinary services. As Mdzananda Animal Clinic develops, it will serve as suitable facilities for veterinary students doing community service. By continued training and active participation of community volunteers at grass roots levels to ensure sustainability.
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It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.
Mother Teresa
PO Box 16491 | Vlaeberg | 8018 | South Africa
Registered Section 21 Company 2007/030289/08
Tel: +27 21 683 8523 | Fax: +27 21 683 8520 | Mobile: +27 82 496 4889
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