What to Do With a Stray Animal

When you encounter a stray dog approach cautiously. It will let you know what it thinks of the situation. Tail high, yawning, showing white at edge of the eye, licking its mouth with no food around or showing teeth are some of the signs warning you to stay away. A wagging tail does not always mean they are friendly. If you see these signs contact a professional to handle the situation. If you feel comfortable, approach slowly, keep your hands down and don't look it in the eye. Speak softly and slowly extend the back of your hand and let him sniff it. NEVER kneel down!

Once the dog is comfortable, check for identification. If it has no identification. and you can put it up or find it temporary shelter, ask your veterinarian to check for an identity chip and examine it for health risks. Ask neighbors if they know the dog or you can put up flyers. Check lost and found ads in local publications. Once you have exhausted efforts to find the owner you have some choices to make.

The best choice would be to keep it. If that is not an option, put it up for adoption, try to find a no kill shelter that has room. The worst choice, but one you will have to make, is to surrender it to the local animal shelter. Please exhaust every possibility before you do that.

Cats are a different animal. Identifying them as strays or ferals is difficult at best, but appearance is one indicator. Those wearing collars generally are someones pet making their rounds. If they come to you, it's okay to offer them food or water. They will usually go home when they are ready.

Feral and stray cats will seldom come to you. They are not used to people and most have little reason to trust people. Put out food and water at the same time every day and gradually they will connect you to the source. Once they start waiting for you, set a live trap (animal cotrol will generally loan you one) to catch it. Have it spayed/neutered and release it. Continue feeding and watering. CONGRATULATIONS!! You have just became a member of the trap/neuter/return (tnr) community! If there are multiple cats, you can be a genuine feral colony caretaker.