Each year, about six to eight million strays are sent to shelters. According to the Humane Society, most are home pets who have forfeited their way home. Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom, especially because reports indicate that 3.2 million strays are rescued and adopted annually. Additionally, many charities operate to support rescue shelters. If you’re looking to provide a home to one of these strays, these are steps to take before adopting.
1. Look for signs of injury
According to the Humane Society, 7 out of 10 stray dogs and cats have at least one type of injury. It is either a broken limb, a cut or some swelling on the body. Because many strays are hit by vehicles or attacked by other street animals, these injuries are common. For this reason, the right thing to do is to check for any physical wounds or bruises before handling them. Sometimes, injuries are internal, and those types cannot be detected easily. Unless the animal shows signs of pain, you may never know the degree of internal injury it might be dealing with. An animal in pain can act in contrasting ways. They might be aggressive as a defensive technique to prevent anyone from touching them. In many of such cases, it is assumed that the animal is feral. The second is they might be dull and too weak to walk.
Another crucial thing to look for is signs of old injuries. This may present as faint marks, scars or patches (lost fur) on the body. A few years ago, the American Humane Society decided that various forms of pet abuse could be classified under injury. Although this is more in relation to an animal’s mental health, the group believes it is still a form of injury. Indeed, animals can have mental health issues. For most strays, their mental state is influenced by abuse and violence. This is why an affected dog especially may exhibit fear and compulsive behaviors when they have been abused.
2. Check for microchips
Since the first pet microchip was patented in California in 1985, pet owners have bought into the idea. These tiny devices have information about the pet owner and are implanted under the dog or cat’s skin to enhance their safety. A report published by the Indoor Pet Initiative reported that 73% of dog owners are contacted within a week of their pets getting lost. Additionally, 63% of cats were found and returned to their rightful owners within 14 days. These pet microchips are effective when the information on them is updated.
If you find a stray and are interested in adopting, one of the first things to do is check for a microchip. The device is usually implanted between the shoulder blades. If you are interested in rescuing or adopting a stray, you wouldn’t want to keep a pet that belongs to someone else. It would be best to do all the necessary checks before proceeding with the adoption process. If you find a microchip, the right thing is to report it to the local shelter to help trace the owner.
3. Are they neutered or spayed?
Did you know that 85% of dogs in the country are neutered or spayed? Spaying is a procedure that involves the removal of the reproductive organs of a female animal. Neutering is the removal of the male animal’s testicles. The primary reason for these procedures is to control reproduction and, by extension, the animal population. In this case, because you are dealing with a stray, there are specific things to look out for. First, check the abdominal area to see if it’s been shaved or has unusually shorter fur. The less fur you see there, the more likely it is that means the animal has been recently spayed.
In many cases, you may notice ear tipping. This is a globally recognized symbol of a spayed or neutered cat or dog. If you have plans to adopt a stray, it will help to read about the spay and neuter assistance program. Indeed, it makes economic sense if you don’t want an adopted stray to reproduce. The fewer mouths to feed, the better level of care you can offer a rescued stray. Apart from the reproductive reasons for neutering and spaying, ‘fixed’ cats are less likely to contract Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). And among male dogs, there is a reduced risk of prostate problems as they get older. On a more positive note, testicular tumors are eliminated when the animal is neutered.
4. Consider the cost of keeping a pet
Depending on the type and size of the dog, the average monthly cost ranges from $40 to $290. For cats, you may spend about $53 in the same period. If your rescued dog is older, it might come with extra costs. That’s because an aging canine is prone to certain illnesses and requires a special diet. The same applies to an old cat. Regardless of age, you will be directly responsible for their feeding, medical bills, and other expenses that pet owners incur.
Adopting a stray may not be a good idea if you are not financially secure to take on these extra expenses. Reports on these animals also indicate that their upkeep is usually higher. And the first six months after adoption may increase your expenses. Vets say this is the adjustment period for the stray and the pet parent. You are yet to discover how much they can eat in a day and the types of vaccinations they will require. Sometimes, people who rescue stray pets may want to pass on the responsibility of care to a well-resourced interested party.
5. Schedule regular vet visits
A stray will require more vet appointments because it is more predisposed to sickness. After spending a lot of time on their own and experiencing malnourishment, their immunity might be compromised. Additionally, they may be more exposed to fleas, worms and other harmful organisms. Therefore, the more vet appointments they go for, the higher the chances the veterinarian will discover health conditions in the early stages. And early treatment increases the pet’s chances of survival.
Did you know that some dog and cat breeds have high resistance to common pet diseases? The German Pinscher, Siberian Husky, Border Collie and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi are known to have the least health issues. For cats, the Ragamuffin, Russian Blue, and Savannah breeds usually have stronger immune systems. The vet will be the best person to help you determine the peculiar health risks your breed is predisposed to. It will be risky to assume that your stray is healthy and does not need vet care. Staying on the side of caution is most recommended.
6. Announce the stray you found
Before taking steps to adopt the stray you found, it would help if you made an announcement of the rescue. Pet owners often print pictures of lost animals within a few days of going missing. Most of these announcements are printed and posted around the neighborhood. In addition to this traditional method, other pet owners prefer to use social media to announce missing animals. The reason for making an announcement is to exhaust all avenues before adopting the animal.
It would be helpful to contact the local police department and animal shelters in the neighborhood. Many owners report missing animals at these two places before posting pictures on trees and social media. These two agencies will also run through the list of missing pets and their pictures to help reconnect these found animals to their rightful owners. If you can afford it, you can make a further announcement in the local newspaper. These measures you take are meant to protect you from any legal action. If the rightful owner is still looking for the animal, you might be charged with pet theft. When all avenues have been exhausted, you can proceed to adopt the stray. Some states offer a grace period of ten days before a stray or rescued pet can be adopted.
7. Setup a routine in the period leading to the adoption
That dog or cat you rescued from the streets or shelter will need a routine to adjust. Getting them to adapt to indoor living can be quite a challenge. If you’re not a fan of keeping dogs indoors and would rather have them live in a kennel, that can also take time. Remember that these animals are adjusting to their new living conditions and need positive reinforcement to help them settle.
Setting up a routine requires regular feeding times and short walks at specific times of the day, among other things. Long walks with a newly adopted dog can turn them off or confuse them. Experts say these dogs may associate long walks with being back on the streets. So there may be resistance to the leash, especially when it’s around them for too long. The trick is to start with short durations and gradually extend until they are comfortable. Last, you might need help implementing basic discipline with your stray. Housebreaking them is also top on the list.
