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Saving The Strays

If you don’t help, then who? Strays show up everywhere. They need our help to save them from a painful death from disease, starvation, cars, poisoning, gunshot or worse. If the strays do survive to breed, the misery will only be compounded when their offspring enter the world. (For more information on reproduction rates of unneutered animals please see our page on spay/neuter.)

If you are not in a position to help a stray, please contact your local animal control officer or humane group. 

If you can help, here are some tips:

1) Once you’ve caught the animal, check for tags. Many animals get home simply because someone took the time to call. But just because the animal has a collar, doesn’t mean he has a home. Many animals are abandoned or their families have given up.

2) Set a humane or tender trap. If a stray flees when you approach, start putting out food to get him or her into the habit of visiting. Borrow a humane box trap from your local animal shelter. You may be able to rent one from a local pet or feed supply store. Ask around. If you want, you can purchase one from Tomahawk Live Trapping Company ( 1 800-27-ATRAP).

3) Put up signs. When you pick up a stray, immediately file a “found” report at all area shelters. Animals can wander for miles so you need to cover more than the closest shelter to where the animal was found. Don’t be afraid to take the animal to a well-run shelter - that’s usually the first place where people look. Place a classified ad in the newspaper (many papers run “found” ads for free or at a discount.) Put up signs within a 2-mile radius that say , “Found Cat. Call _________.” Don’t give details. Let callers give you details; this weeds out people who are trying to acquire animals under false pretenses to sell to laboratories or dogfighting rings.

4) Get them inside. Many strays are not neutered. Get them off the street, right away, before the problem multiplies.

5) Find a good home. Place animals only in the homes of people who are looking for inside companions who will be members of the family. Visit the home, ask lots of questions and have adopters sign a contract.

6) Sterlize animals before rehoming them. Call 1 800-248-SPAY for low-cost spay/neuter programs in your area. Also see our web page on spay/neuter. If you are unable to find a good home, take the animal to a reputable shelter.

7) If you see a dog or cat by the roadside please stop, throw your itinerary out the window and try to help before the dog or cat becomes another roadside tragedy. But saving an animal like this needs special care and supplies.

Many normally friendly dogs become fearful when they are lost. Do not endanger yourself. If you are in trouble from either the traffic or the animal, use your cell phone or coin phone to call the local humane society, animal control or police and request help. Be insistent.

If you feel you can act safely - and only you can make that decision - position yourself between the animal and traffic. Turn off the car, close the door quietly, move slowly, speak softy and avoid making eye contact. Carry dog treats or cans of cat food in your car to use as lures. If the dog runs, stop and kneel down, or walk in the opposite direction. Be patient - it may take awhile for the animal to muster up the courage to come near. Try to herd the dog toward a residential or less trafficed area, ideally into a fenced area where you can close the gate and prevent escape.

If the animal is injured, stop the car, put on the flashers and set out flares. Wrap gauze or a necktie around the animal’s muzzle to prevent biting (injured animals sometimes bite out of fear), or if the animals is small, wrap him or her in a towel. Pull even apparently dead animals out of the roadway - they may be alive but unconscious. (Gently touch the edge of the eye. If it flickers, the animal is alive.) Get injured animals veterinary care right away.

Rescue Supplies to keep in your car - leash, cat carrier, poptop canned cat food, dog treats, towels and gauze or strips of cloth, phone numbers of local shelters, emergency vets and wildlife rehabilitators.

This informaion was provided by PETA. Second Chance for Animals is not associated with PETA ; we felt the information was valuable to all animal lovers so we are providing it here at our site.

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Last Updated: Saturday, October 20, 2007