What do you do when you find a stray dog or cat running through your neighborhood or along the highway? Are you prepared to assist a stray pet safely and effectively?
- If you are planning to rescue, plan ahead. Keep the numbers of your local animal control, animal shelter, regular veterinarian, and 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic. You’ll also want to keep extra collars and leashes, water and bowls, a cat carrier or cardboard box, and a pet first aid kit on hand.
- Think about your own safety first. Don’t dart out into the street or stop short in heavy traffic. If you are in your car, pull off the road and put on your hazard lights. If you are on foot, make sure it is safe for you to approach the animal.
- Think about the animal’s safety second. It may be friendly and curious; it may be frightened, sick, or injured. Expect the pet to behave unpredictably. I’ve encountered both cats and dogs prancing unattended through my front yard, and fortunately they have been friendly. They came to me. An injured, sick, or frightened animal may scratch or bite you.
- If for any reason you feel uneasy, do not approach the animal. Call animal control or your local shelter to come help you.
- As you approach the animal, speak calmly in an even tone. Move slowly, and make sure the animal can see you at all times. You may be able to entice the animal to come to you with the offer of a strong-smelling food.
- Restrain the animal if possible. Use a leash if you have one. A rope or spare sweatshirt makes a good temporary leash in a pinch. For smaller dogs and cats, put them in a carrier or cardboard box. Try to lure the animal into your car and close the door. Don’t attempt to drive anywhere with a strange animal unrestrained in your car — they may become frantic or aggressive. Wait for animal control to arrive.
- If you can’t restrain the animal, try to keep an eye on it and wait for help to arrive. Call the local shelter or animal control immediately, give your name and phone number with the dispatcher, and try to stay on the scene until help arrives. Try to give an accurate location to help them find you quickly and easily.
- Don’t assume the worst about the owner. Accidents do happen, and a frantic owner may be searching for their missing pet.
- If you decide to transport the animal, bring him to the nearest shelter.
- If you decide to bring the animal to your veterinarian for treatment, be prepared to shoulder the costs yourself.
- If you decide to keep the animal in case no owner shows up, you should inform your local animal shelter and animal control that you have the pet. The true owner may or may not show up, desperately searching for their lost friend.
Think about what you would want someone to do for the animal if it was YOUR pet running around. Would you want people to keep going? Or would you want someone to stop and help save your best friend?