Have you ever wondered what to do with a stray dog?
As dog owners, having a lost pet is like losing a child. A missing pet in the household could only mean that they were able to get out of your yard. Other dogs may have been left by his or her family, left at home, or abused. If you suspect that your beloved pet has gotten lost, it’s important to know the first step on how to find them.
If you are a worried dog parent and you want to know how to find your lost dog, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be teaching you everything you need to know about stray dogs. We will also be teaching you how to call your local animal control, local animal shelter or animal control facilities.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Are Stray Dogs?
- 2 The Risks of Bringing a Stray Dog your nearest Animal Shelter/ Local Animal Control?
- 3 How Do You Get Stray Animals to Trust You?
- 4 Is It Safe to Take Lost Pets Home?
- 5 What is the Difference Between a Stray Pet, Feral, and Lost Animal?
- 6 What to Do With a Stray Dog: How to Find a Lost Dog or Cat
- 7 What to Do With a Stray Dog: How Do you Help a Lost Dog or Cat?
- 8 What to Do With a Stray Dog: How Do you Rescue an Abused Dog
- 9 Transport to Safety
- 10 Keeping a Stray Dog: A Serious Responsibility
- 11 Create a Dog-Safe Zone in Your House
What Are Stray Dogs?
A stray dog is a stray or lost dog that has been abandoned or lost, and is living on its own. Stray animals are a problem in many communities, as they can be aggressive and dangerous. Animal control facilities are often overwhelmed with stray or lost dog, and many of them end up being euthanized.
Local shelters often take in stray pups, but they can be difficult to place because most people want to adopt a healthy, well-behaved dog. There are an estimated stray pups in the United States. If you see a stray dog, it’s best to call animal control, or the local shelter to have it picked up.
The Risks of Bringing a Stray Dog your nearest Animal Shelter/ Local Animal Control?
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When you find a strange dog walking on the streets, sometimes it’s alarming to see the little guy ravage for food. As a good samaritan, of course you would want to give the dog or cat shelter especially if they have a severe medical condition. The question is, is it safe for you to bring the pets you find on the street home with you?
Realistically, it’s a very sad fact that even some of the most friendliest animals end up biting you when they become scared, hungry, or have had a bad experience. Two dogs you can find walking on the busy street may carry diseases when the stray intake eats food that isn’t clean.
These stray dog diseases can be contagious if you have other animals in your household. The best solution however, is to bring the animals you find to a veterinary hospital for immediate care. Here are some things you could do to take action before you decide to adopt a stray dog or cats:
Look for the Owner’s Contact Information
If you found a stray, the first thing that you can do is look for the previous owners/original owner. You can post in your local newspaper, write blog post notices, write about it on your facebook page, or go to a police department.
Once the found dog/found pet/found animal is with an animal control officer/animal control agencies, you can now ask for help on how to come up with an accurate description of the animals you have in custody. You can also include the phone numbers of the dog home and the shelter staff.
When the owner shows up, you can ask them to put permanent identification on the animal like an id tag. This will prevent them from getting separated from their previous owner.
How Do You Get Stray Animals to Trust You?
When it comes to approaching a stray dog or cats its always important to use caution. Your goal is to keep yourself as safe as possible before the humane society, state or local laws come to take the found dog. Only approach to an extent permitted by the animals and be patient.
First
Sometimes, if you push too hard, the animal could run off into traffic and encounter even more injury. Chasing a skittish or nervous animal will only cause the found dog to run, which will only create more danger for the dog.
Second
Instead, keep your body as low as possible in front of the animal. Make sure to avoid eye contact with the dog’s head and talk gently as you move towards the dog. If the dog looks like he is going to run, stop for a while and remain silent.
You can also opt to sit down carefully in front of the animal if you can. If you are patient enough and remain completely still in front of the dog, he may decide to approach you.
Third
Once the dog is comfortable with you, you can then take the animal with you. Most animal shelters or the humane society will look for a dog home.
Before making these dogs pets, the shelter needs to make sure that the dog has a clean bill of health before going to their forever home. At times, there may even be a holding period for these pets at the shelter.
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Is It Safe to Take Lost Pets Home?
Concerned dog lovers might opt to bring their furry family member home with them after a rescue.
Although it may seem like a good idea for now to bring the dog or cat home with you as soon as you find them, it’s still better to hand over the animal to a shelter for more tips on how to take care of the dog yourself. So it’s important as a potential owner to make sure that the dog is safe for families.
What is the Difference Between a Stray Pet, Feral, and Lost Animal?
We’ve all seen dogs running around our neighborhoods, some with owners and some without. But what’s the difference between a dog that’s stray, feral, or lost?
First
A stray dog is one that has been abandoned or separated from its owner. They are typically friendly and used to being around people. A feral dog, on the other hand, is an animal that has had little to no contact with humans and is therefore fearful of them.
Second
One way to tell the difference is by checking for a collar and tags. If the dog has these, it’s likely stray. Feral dogs rarely have collars since they’re not used to human interaction, while lost dogs may or may not be wearing one.
Third
They can help to reunite the dog with its pet owner. In the meantime, you can try feeding and watering the dog if it looks like it’s been on its own for awhile.
What to Do With a Stray Dog: How to Find a Lost Dog or Cat
Have you ever lost a pet? It’s a nightmare scenario for any pet owner, but it unfortunately happens all too often.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and other related posts filed, around 7.6 million animals enter shelters each year, and of those, around 2.7 are reunited with their owners. Here are some tips on how to find a lost dog or cat:
First
1. Check all the local shelters and animal control facilities in your area. Call or visit in person to see if anyone has turned in your pet. Be sure to check back regularly, as new animals come in all the time.
Second
2. Place an ad in the local newspaper or online (on websites like Craigslist or Facebook) and include a photo of your pet. You can also put up flyers in your neighborhood and at local businesses. Include your pet’s name, description, and your contact information.
Third
3. Ask your veterinarian if they have any clients who are looking for a pet that matches your pet’s description. They may be able to put you through to an owner who is looking to adopt a dog.
What to Do With a Stray Dog: How Do you Help a Lost Dog or Cat?
If you find a lost dog or cat, the best thing to do is take them to your local pet shelter. The staff there will have the experience and resources to help reunite the pet with their owner. However, there are a few things you can do to help make the process go more smoothly.
First
Check for any ID tags or microchips. If the pet has an ID tag, there will be a phone number that you can call to reach the owner. If they have a microchip, the pet shelter will have a way to scan it and get in touch with the owner that way.
Second
Try to keep the pet calm. If they’re feeling scared or anxious, it will make it harder for the staff at the shelter to care for them. Try talking to them in a soothing voice, and if possible, offer them a treat.
Finally
Make sure to give the staff at the shelter as much information as possible about where and when you found the pet. This will help them determine whether or not the pet is local, and it will also give them a starting point for their search for the owner.
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What to Do With a Stray Dog: How Do you Rescue an Abused Dog
Rescuing an abused dog can be a heart-wrenching but ultimately rewarding experience. Once you’ve found a potential match, it’s important to set up a meet-and-greet with the dog in question.
If everything goes well, the next step is to fill out an adoption application and complete the necessary paperwork. With a little patience and love, an abused dog can blossom into a loyal and cherished companion.
Transport to Safety
Whenever possible take your animal to a pet shelter. You may place free ads in the newspapers or on sites such as Craigslist. Take all necessary documentation including identification cards.
If You Decide to Take the Animal Home
Please call a euthanized pet shelter first if you want a more complete search for a euthanasia. You can use the contact information provided by your animal owner if you want a better idea.
Keeping a Stray Dog: A Serious Responsibility
Some pups that enter a rescue shelter are often strays found on paved roads. They are also often left in a shelter by owners who can not help. The stray dog may either be brought back home, adopted, rescued or transferred to another rescue center.
Create a Dog-Safe Zone in Your House
Find somewhere safe for your pups at home, away from children and pets. Clear out household waste and put the blanket under the bed.
A great way to ensure that you get your pet back when he or she gets lost is to place a collar with a name tag. We have several options available to you in our dog collar store. Minimize the risk of losing your beloved pet forever!