Helping Stray Animals

It is always hard for animal lovers to see a stray dog or cat wandering the neighborhood or walking along a busy street.  While most will want to help these animals, it is important to remember that you take some safety precautions to ensure that you and the animal are safe and secure.  According to the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, “don’t touch stray animals because you could get scratched or bitten. Stray animals can carry many infections.”  (http://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/high_risk.htm)  Following a few safety tips will help both you and the animal make it to a safe location.  Use your best judgment and always err on the side of caution.

If you see an animal on the side or in the middle of a street, please call the local police department and ask for help.  As the Humane Society of the United States advises, “You cannot help an animal if you become injured in the process. Look in your rear-view mirror before braking, signal your intentions, pull your car completely off the road, turn off the ignition, set the parking brake and put on hazard lights. ” (http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/what_to_do_stray_pet.html)

Once you determine it is safe, attempt to get near the animal.  If during your approach you discover that the animal seems timid, it may only be scared.  Use caution as it may attack if it feels threatened.  Be sure to approach the animal slowly by extending your hand to allow it to smell you.  Do not be too aggressive with the animal.  If it appears angry or scared, it may act unpredictably.  It is best to wait for help to arrive.

If the animal appears injured, do not intervene.  Veterinarian experts recommend, “Do not try to treat the animal for its medical condition if you are not trained to do so. As with a human, you can sometimes cause more damage than good.”  Contacting your local animal shelter or veterinarian will help alleviate any injury to you or the stray.

If you plan on bringing the animal into your home, be sure to bring it to a veterinarian first to have its health checked.  Also be sure to have the animal cleaned and/or trimmed.

It is important to remember that even if you found the animal and it appears homeless, it may very well be the cherished companion of someone looking for it.  Report to local animal rescue agencies that you found the animal as a frantic owner may be searching for their beloved pet.

If you have possession of the animal and decide to take the animal to a shelter, according to the nonprofit pet health organization PAWS, the animal should be taken to the” shelter closest to the location where the animal was found. This will increase the likelihood that the animal will be reunited with his guardian and safely returned home.” (http://www.paws.org/about-faqs.html#cas2)

If you see a stray and do not gain possession of the animal, the American Humane Association suggests you “remember the description and location of the stray animal you see and call your local animal control immediately. You’ll be ending the pet’s suffering, perhaps reuniting him/her with the owner, and insuring your community’s safety too.”