Due to the very close relationship that dogs have developed with humans, those who are passionate about pets often feel their hearts sink when they see a stray dog .
Especially in urban centers, these animals depend on us for food, affection and, most importantly, health care, such as vaccinations and deworming.
But not everyone knows how to take them home safely and healthily. Below, we’ll take a look at a step-by-step guide on how to rescue and adopt an abandoned dog.
First step: how to catch a stray dog
On your way home, you see a lost dog on the street and decide to rescue it to care for it and give it all the love it deserves. Before that, however, you need to catch the dog. Check out some tips on how to do this without putting your safety at risk.
Take the dog to a safe place
It is common to see stray dogs walking along busy roads, where they are at risk of being run over. If you see a pet in this or other risky situations, try to attract it to a safe place. To do this, try to get its attention with an object or even food — if you have it available.
Bring your pet closer to you
Once he is out of danger, try to interact with him. Remember that strays have been through a lot before and can be very suspicious.
So, use a soft voice and go slowly until you gain his trust. Ideally, you should be able to play with and pet your dog without him feeling uncomfortable.
Be careful when picking up the dog
A stray pet is subject to a series of diseases, many of which are not transmissible to humans. However, some of them, such as sarcoptic mange, giardiasis and dermatophytosis, for example, can be passed from your pet to you.
Therefore, if possible, it is recommended to use gloves or cloths when handling your pet. Furthermore, according to Dr. Priscila Zanotti, veterinarian at Petz , dogs that are injured and/or in pain can become aggressive. Be careful!
Second stage: I got a stray dog, what now?
Once the rescue is complete, it’s time to start caring for your pet. So, what should you do first: give it a bath or take it to the vet? Check out these and other recommendations:
Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible
According to Dr. Zanotti, this is the first step. “After a consultation, the veterinarian will advise whether or not the dog is fit to be bathed and what its health status is,” she says.
After evaluation, he or she may recommend specific food, among other prescriptions. He or she may also begin treatment for worms, ectoparasite infestations, etc.
Keep the dog under observation
Not all health problems are obvious at the first visit. Therefore, in the first few days after your pet is rescued, keep an eye on your new friend and report any suspicious symptoms or behavior to your vet.
For those who already have a four-legged child, the ideal thing to do when adopting a stray dog is to keep the newcomer in a separate environment to avoid the transmission of any diseases.
Talk to your vet about neutering
The procedure helps prevent a number of diseases. Therefore, even if it is not possible to perform it immediately, it is worth talking to your veterinarian about dates, prices and alternatives. Some cities offer the service free of charge, but it is important to be aware of the type of anesthesia.
Stop by Petz to buy your new friend’s “layette”
Based on the guidelines provided by your veterinarian, promote your pet’s comfort and well-being by ensuring that they have some essential items as soon as possible, such as: a bed, blanket, food bowl, water bowl, food, treats and also some toys.
Some more tips for taking care of a stray dog
When rescuing a stray dog , keep in mind that you will become responsible for it, including legally. In other words, according to Article 936 of the Civil Code, the owner may be punished in the event of deliberate abandonment of the rescued pet.
For those who rescued a pet with the aim of removing it from danger, but are unable to keep it permanently, many NGOs are overcrowded and unable to receive new individuals.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to reach out to your network of friends to try to find a new family for the dog you found . This also applies when you are unable to cover the costs yourself: you can ask for donations of food and other contributions through social media.
Oh! And if you would like to contribute to the animal cause, but for one reason or another, you can’t afford to adopt a pet right now, there are other ways to help.
For example, you can sponsor a pet from an NGO and make donations. “At Petz stores, we sell books and calendars, and the proceeds go to NGOs participating in Adote Petz,” says Dr. Zanotti.
Another partnership between Petz and Movimento Arredondar (Arredondar Movement). It works like this: when finalizing the purchase, the customer can round up the amount, donating the cents needed to complete the full amount to the project. This money is also donated to NGOs linked to the animal cause!