Mdzananda "Distemper" Animal Clinic

Mdzananda Animal Clinic is a permanent, non-profit organization based in Khayelitsha that provides companionship and care for the animals of its community. Mdzananda, meaning “Distemper” in isiXhosa is a registered clinic caring for over 1000 animals per month, through consultations, hospitalization, surgery, and mobile clinics for sick and injured pets – primarily dogs and cats. Founded in 1996, it also offers an emergency ambulance service, performs sterilizations, re-homes pets, and conducts interventions related to abuse and neglect. A lack of education and funding for urban pets living within impoverished settlements focuses on educating the community, and providing low-cost veterinary services.

Upholding the belief that a community is healthy if it loves animals, Mdzananda Animal Clinic’s objective is to endorse the right methods to care for every animal. By looking after an animal, pet, neighbor’s pet, a stray, or farm animal, people learn responsibility, respect for life, compassion, and non-violence. Valuable attributes that flow over into everyday life.