Yoga with Homeless Dogs in Cape Town, South Africa, is Back

After taking a break over the cold winter months, the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha in partnership with Lee-Ann Elliott Yoga is bringing Downward-Facing-Adopt-A-Dog back this spring. On Saturday the 26^th of October, Yoga lovers and dog lovers alike are invited to join this special yoga class with homeless dogs.

The class will be held under the trees in the beautiful outdoor setting of De Waal Park, Cape Town.

Here you will get to enjoy a one hour, gentle flow yoga class while meeting a variety of homeless dogs up for adoption. Be prepared to get a lick from a dog while stretching into your Downward Dog position.

The class is the brain child of local yoga instructor Lee-Ann Elliott who is also a supporter of the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha. Lee-Ann had seen a Facebook post from Mdzananda appealing for people to assist in adopting or fostering homeless dogs as they were over capacity.

 “I looked down at my dog, Salacia, and thought, we can make a difference. I called my friend who worked at Mdzananda and we started planning the first event. Now we are hosting our fourth event,” says Lee-Ann.

Soon after the first Downward-Facing-Adopt-A-Dog event in October 2018, Salacia passed away due to tick bite fever. “These events are a tribute to her memory as well as a fundraiser and place of hope for more dogs to find homes,” says Lee-Ann.

The event aims to raise funds for the Mdzananda Animal Clinic, an NPO animal hospital based in Khayelitsha while introducing people to pets needing homes.

“Our organisation is predominantly an NPO veterinary hospital, but we do have a small stray shelter for dogs and cats as people often need to hand their pets over.

“Finding homes for these animals are difficult, especially because people are often too scared to come to Khayelitsha to visit pets.

“Events like these allow us to bring the pets to people, all while the people get to enjoy a yoga session,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager of Mdzananda Animal Clinic.

The class will start at 10:30 am but you are advised to be there at 10 am to register, get a good spot and spend some time with the dogs. Around 8 dogs will be at the event. Bring a yoga mat or towel and some water and invite everyone who is in the market for a new furry friend. The cost of the class is donation based and all funds raised will go to the Mdzananda Animal Clinic.

For more information contact info@mdzananda.co.za, visit their website on www.mdzananda.co.za or visit the Facebook events page: https://www.facebook.com/events/408105393110057/