Celebrating International Homeless Animal Day
Every year on the third Saturday of August, animal lovers across the world celebrate International Homeless Animal day which is dedicated to spreading awareness about pet overpopulation.
Started in 1992 by the International Society for Animal Rights, this celebratory day has grown in strength with events and celebrations taking place in more than 50 countries across the world. These events bring people together to shed light on the enormous problem of pet overpopulation and the spay / neuter solution.
As part of the overpopulation solution, pet adoption is essential. For example, The Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha hosted an Adoption Open Day on the 2019 International Homeless Animal day. The NPO animal clinic, based in one of the poorest and most overpopulated townships, provides veterinary treatment to pet owners in the community. As part of their treatment policy, each pet that receives medical care will be sterilized.
The NPO animal clinic, based in one of the poorest and most overpopulated townships, provides veterinary treatment to pet owners in the community. As part of their treatment policy, each pet that receives medical care will be sterilized.
Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager, at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic, had this to say in their press release:
“Pet overpopulation is an enormous problem. It is absolutely essential to sterilize as many animals as possible. On average we sterilize 2500 pets per year. This makes a large dent considering the fact that one dog and its mate can result in approximately 67 000 puppies in six years if neither of them or their puppies are ever sterilised.”
Even though the clinic spays/neuters animals every day, they say that the pet population keeps growing.
“There is a large amount of illegal backyard breeders in the community, continued du Plessis. "These breeders sell puppies for money. The breeding conditions are not great and the puppies are often taken away from their moms much too early resulting in health problems. As this produces income people do not want to sterilize their pets."
The clinic works tirelessly to spay/neuter pets as well as treating sick or injured pets in the community. At the same time they have a small shelter facility re-homing abandoned or stray dogs and cats.
“We have a small shelter facility that can care for 15 dogs and 15 cats at a time. It is essential that we find new homes for these pets as fast as possible as there are continuously new pets being handed over or found as strays,” said du Plessis.
For further information please visit www.mdzananda.co.za of contact info@mdzananda.co.za / 082 251 0554 / 021 367 6001.