If you've ever seen a stray dog or cat, the urge to help kicks in... but how can you help? Do you trap the animal? Call someone? Here are some tips on how to handle the situation.
Keep an eye on the animal.
You want to secure the animal, but keep in mind that strays are often scared. You need to protect yourself and the animal while keeping the stray in sight. "Be patient and persistent," PETA suggests. If the stray is a baby, look around for a mommy or siblings.
Be prepared.
Consider keeping an animal rescue kit in the car, like this cat rescue kit from the ASPCA with "all you'll need for helping a feline friend in an emergency or disaster" for three days or this simplified kit from PETA.
Check for tags or injuries.
See if the animal needs medical attention. Look for tags that might have the owner's name and address. PETA suggests that any animal that looks neglected or abused should not be returned to the original owner.
How can you tell if a cat is a stray or a feral cat? That's a tough one, the ASPCA says: "Ironically, a dirty and disheveled cat is most likely a stray pet and not a feral cat. Recently abandoned cats often have trouble finding food and shelter, or are driven away from food sources by the local feral cats, and stop grooming because they feel stressed."
Hang signs and use social media.
Whether you've taken the animal to a shelter or decided to become a foster fur-parent, spread the word. PETA suggests hanging signs within a two-mile radius with a photo of the pet and your contact information. Social media is also a handy tool. There are Facebook communities for missing and found animals in just about every neighborhood. There are also websites that specialize in helping find lost pets. Many are national, but are broken down into region and state.
Hopefully, with your help, the lost animal will find its way back home. Cheers for happy endings!
