Have you recently found a stray dog on the street that you want to help? They look so cute and lonely, but before you decide to bring that dog home, you must take steps to ensure you both stay safe and happy.
Just picking up a stray dog from the side of the road is nice, but it’s not responsible.
When you take in a stray, you must be willing to provide medical attention and care.
You also must try to find the dog’s owner before getting too attached.
Here are the steps you should take:
Approach with care
Stray dogs can be fearful and nervous, so for your safety, you should remain calm and keep your distance until you determine whether the dog is friendly.
Once you do that, walk toward the dog slowly. Try to corner the dog or lure them with food so that you can take the dog to your vehicle.
Have some way to confine the dog or secure them in your car. The pup may try to escape, so you need to be sure you can drive safely.
Home or shelter?
If you decide to bring the pup home, you must try to find the dog’s owner. You don’t want to steal someone’s beloved pet inadvertently.
If the dog doesn’t have a tag or contact information for its owner, call animal control and area shelters. Someone may have reported the dog missing.
You may also need to bring the dog to a vet’s office or your local animal rescue so officials can scan it for a microchip.
Take the dog to the vet if it is bleeding or showing any signs of injury or illness.
Use social media
No matter how cute the pup is, you must try to find its owner. If you can’t find the owner through official channels, social media may help.
Post pictures of the dog and share information about where you found it on Facebook, Instagram, and neighborhood sites like NextDoor.
Include information about how to contact you. If you don’t want to post your phone number, share an email address.
Check your neighborhood for missing dog posters and put up some found dog ones, too. It’s possible the dog’s owner isn’t on social media.
Keep the dog?
Continue your search for the dog’s owner for at least a month.
The dog’s owners may be traveling, and maybe neither they nor the pet sitter has seen your messages.
If you have been looking for the owner for 30 days and decide you want to keep the dog, start by taking it to the vet for a thorough examination and any needed vaccinations.
This appointment also provides another chance to check whether the dog has a microchip that can identify the owner. If it doesn’t, consider getting one implanted. Then, register the dog as your own.
If you rent and choose to keep the dog, make sure your landlord or roommates are okay with it. If not, you may need to move. Online platforms can help you find roommates in Charlotte, Boston, NYC, and all over the U.S. who love animals as much as you do.
Be patient with the dog. They’ve gone through significant trauma and will need time to adjust. Imagine how scared they are in a strange place, especially if they experienced any abuse while living on the streets.
Neuter your pet
You just saved one stray dog, so don’t let that dog create any more puppies.
If the dog hasn’t been spayed or neutered, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Jaimy Hammitt is a pet writer at GumEssays.com and LuckyAssignments.com. She shares her advice to help everyone live their best life with their pets. Jaimy is dedicated to saving stray dogs and cats and finding good homes. She also writes for Researchpapersuk.com blog.