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The Mdzananda Animal Clinic and Shelter in Khayelitsha is urgently appealing to the public to open their homes and adopt a dog or cat, as the small shelter has reached full capacity and can no longer safely accommodate more animals.
The shelter is currently caring for 34 dogs, 15 cats and 17 kittens, despite only being able to comfortably house 30 dogs and 20 cats.
“We are urgently asking the public to adopt. We have no more space and animals keep being surrendered. We do our best to refer people to other organisations, but there is no guarantee that animals will actually get there, and we worry deeply for their safety,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Executive at Mdzananda.
The organisation has formed emergency partnerships with other shelters including HART, Animal Welfare Society Helderberg and DARG, who have taken some animals into their care.
“We are extremely grateful for these partnerships, but even with their support, we simply cannot keep up with the demand. The only long-term solution is for people to step forward and offer these animals loving, permanent homes,” says du Plessis.
Mdzananda is primarily an animal hospital, serving an average of 1,500 pets per month through consultations, hospitalisation, mobile clinics and an animal ambulance service. The shelter was only added a few years ago in response to rising community need.
“Wherever possible, we try to help community members keep their animals. For example, we’ve built fences around people’s yards so that dogs can stay safely at home instead of being surrendered out of fear of accidents,” says du Plessis.
However, with increasing financial strain and ongoing surrenders, the shelter is now forced to turn people away.
“As the only animal shelter in the vast community of Khayelitsha, this is heartbreaking. We never want to say no, but right now we simply have nowhere to put more animals,” she adds.
Members of the public who can assist by adopting are urged to get in touch.
To adopt:
Email: adoptions@mdzananda.co.za
Phone / WhatsApp: 064 985 2513
View available pets: www.mdzananda.co.za or Facebook/Instagram: Mdzananda Animal Clinic
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Date published: 11/02/2026
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