Mdzananda Animal Clinic brings festive joy to Khayelitsha's pets and owners
Festive kindness on four legs: A Khayelitsha resident watches as a Mdzananda Animal Clinic and Shelter staff member hands out pet food during a Christmas outreach on 23 December, part of an initiative that saw 332 food gift packs distributed to dogs and cats across the township.
Image: Supplied
Festive cheer reached four-legged residents of Khayelitsha this week as Mdzananda Animal Clinic and Shelter rolled out a special Christmas outreach, distributing 332 food gift packs to dogs, cats and their owners across the township.
Led by Veterinary Welfare Assistant Buyisiwe Gubese, staff members donned Christmas outfits while handing out parcels filled with pet food and treats, bringing a moment of celebration to households and their animals during the festive season.
“This initiative is dedicated to celebrating the unconditional love and loyalty of our pets, recognizing them as cherished members of our families,” Gubese said. “Beyond individual homes, this project aims to foster a sense of community, spreading joy, love and appreciation for our furry friends during the festive season. In a year like 2025, which brought many challenges, our pets remained loyal, loving and present every single day.”
The outreach comes at a time of mounting pressure on the shelter, which has recorded a noticeable increase in pet abandonments over the festive period. The trend is largely linked to families travelling to the Eastern Cape for the holidays without securing suitable care arrangements for their animals, resulting in pets being surrendered for adoption.
Despite the strain, the organisation said it remained committed to supporting both animals and their owners during a financially demanding time.
“Even though our shelter and clinic are full to the brim this festive season, placing us under immense financial pressure, we still try our best to brighten the lives of pets and pet owners in the community by handing out food parcels,” said Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Executive at Mdzananda.
Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha spreads festive cheer this Christmas by distributing 332 food gift packs to pets and their owners.
Image: Supplied
The clinic and shelter play a critical role in animal welfare in Khayelitsha, assisting about 1,500 pets every month through veterinary care, sterilisation programmes, hospitalisation, an animal ambulance service, mobile clinics and adoptions. Education of pet owners also forms a central part of its work, aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership and long-term animal wellbeing.
Looking ahead, Mdzananda will mark a major milestone in 2026, celebrating 30 years of service to the pets and people of Khayelitsha.
Community members and animal lovers who wish to support the organisation and help ease the current financial strain can make donations via the organisation’s website or through direct contributions to its bank account.
As the festive season continues, the organisation says the Christmas outreach serves as a reminder that, even in difficult times, compassion for animals remains a powerful force in the community.
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