Winter has brought with it low temperatures and rains which are delightful for those of us who have a safe, warm place to appreciate them from, but for those left out in the cold, Winter is the most dreaded season. The Mdzananda Animal Clinic has approximately 130 000 to 300 000 companion animals in its surrounding areas, and is appealing to the public for donations to keep these furry friends warm throughout the rainy season.
“We are excited to launch our fourth annual Wagging Winter Shoe Box drive,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager of Mdzananda Animal Clinic. “We know that members of the public want to help the township pets in winter but do not always know how to do so. With this drive you can choose which pet you wish to help and pack a shoebox filled with goodies to keep them warm this winter.”
During winter the Mdzananda Animal Clinic is often packed to the brim, as the number of pets in need of medical assistance has a tendency to increase during this time.
The clinic also treats more animals with broken bones during the winter, as driving on wet roads tends to make it more difficult to control vehicles than in the summer months, and more drivers knock animals over as a result.
“Many township pets are not allowed into homes even when it is cold and raining outside. Many do not have kennels or any form of shelter and as a result the number of pets in hypothermic states arriving at our doors increase,” says du Plessis. “We are however happy to announce that we have seen an increase in community members investing in kennels for their furry friends. The Clinic has also been able to hand out a number of donated kennels for pets needing shelter. We will also be hosting two Kennel Building events for Mandela Day. One on the July 20 for the public and the other July 18 for workgroups. People are invited to join us.
“Not everyone has the funds to donate towards looking after a pet but many people are able to pack a shoebox full of goodies.”
Here’s how to pack your Wagging Winter shoebox in four easy steps:
– Find a shoebox (or any box)
– Choose which pet you would like to pack for (puppy, kitten, dog, or cat)
– Pack it full of goodies for your chosen pet
– Drop it off at one of the drop-off spots
Suggested goods to be placed in the boxes include Hills A/D tinned food for recovering pets, Milko Pup or Kitty Milk for bottle-fed pups and kittens, soft food, pellet food, a hot water bottle or heating beanbag, washing powder to wash blankets, a roll of black bags for daily disposal of dirty newspaper cage lining, leads and collars, chewy treats, catnip treats or cat litter.
The drop-off spots to deliver your shoe boxes include:
– Khayelitsha: Mdzananda Animal Clinic, 21297 Govan Mbeki Road
– Sea Point: 2A Pavilion Place, 281 Beach Road (24h security)
– Mowbray: Mowbray Veterinary Clinic, 84 Durban Road
– Woodstock. Contact Kerry-Lee 082 297 6048
– Milnerton: Contact Gretha 083 450 4563
– Edgemead: Contact Joe 082 420 1006
– Gordons Bay: Contact Valery or Cheryll 021 856 3554
– False Bay, Capri Village: Contact Debora 082 3666 726
– Constantia Hills/Tokai: Contact Ann 082 4144 771
– Higgovale / Oranjezicht: Contact Stefanie 082 390 1670
– Kraaifontein: Contact Mariska 072 716 9959
– Brackenfell: Contact Mariska, 072 716 9959
If you prefer to sponsor a shoebox or a half shoebox instead of packing a box, this is also very welcome.
Puppy Shoebox: R450
Dog Shoebox: R350
Kitten Shoebox: R400
Cat Shoebox: R300
Bank Details: Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Standard Bank
Account number: 075595710
Branch: Rondebosch, Branch Code: 025009
Use the relevant reference: Pupbox + your name / Dogbox + yourname / Catbox + yourname / Kittenbox + yourname
For more information, visit the Mdzananda Animal Clinic’s website on www.mdzananda.co.za or contact [email protected].
Picture: Pixabay