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When you encounter a homeless animal, it’s impossible to walk away. Children frequently take home stray puppy babies. A natural urge to help and participate in a helpless life emerges. But how do you help if you see a kitten or puppy on the street? The article contains the solution to this essential question.

First recommendations when you find a domestic apparent on the street

#1. Take the animal off the street

If the animal looks homeless, remember: it is in your power to give it a chance at life in a new home with loving owners! According to statistics, almost any homeless animal can be placed in good hands in a period of time from a week to six months (of course, provided that you engage in the so-called “PR”, i.e. post ads with a good photo of the animal on resources).

You cannot leave an animal on the street, especially if it is clearly domestic, weak or sick. Firstly, it may result in death for it, secondly, the animal may go in an unknown direction. And after that you (possibly) will reproach yourself for the fact that you could have saved someone’s little life, but did not do so.

What to do?

• If you do not have your own animals, then accordingly there is no need to isolate the found animal.
• If your own animals are vaccinated, isolate the foundling at least in the kitchen, at least in the pantry, at least in the bathroom. Remember that even vaccination does not give a 100% guarantee of non-infection, so try to avoid contact between domestic animals and the foundling!
• If you have your own animals, but they are not vaccinated / have been vaccinated for a long time, beg friends, parents, relatives, neighbors, ex-husbands/wives to keep the animal for a couple of days.

#2. Try to feed the animal

You should avoid dairy products, raw meat, fatty foods (for example, sour cream, fried meat, sausage should not be offered). Something neutral is best. Start feeding with small portions, but every 2-3 hours, gradually increasing both the portion and the feeding interval. Don’t forget about water. Refusal of water/food should be a warning sign. In this case, go to point 3.

#3. If the animal looks sick, contact a veterinarian

Select a trustworthy veterinary clinic. Next, place the animal in a carrier or, if you don’t have one, in any bag, or put on a collar and leash and go to the nearest/preferred clinic.

 

Then you can search for temporary shelter. In Suffolk, you may seek help in Suffolk Humane Society and B’s Haven Animal Rescue and Sanctuary that are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of animals and offer various programs for those looking to adopt or get involved.

After ensuring the animal is secure and potentially taking it to a vet, you can integrate modern technology like the DNA test for cats or dogs into your efforts to locate the animal’s owner or learn more about its background.

In addition to searching for microchips, using a DNA test can provide insight into a stray animal’s breed, potential health risks, and even genetic markers that can help you understand its behavior or temperament.

#4. Find a foster house

Often shelters are overcrowded. In this case, you can find a foster home. A foster home is a temporary home, a place where your pet will live until permanent owners arrive.

Wherever you find a foster home – in your apartment, with friends, relatives, in a pet hotel, remember: this is just a place where your pet is temporarily kept. You, not the foster home owners, are fully responsible for its placement.

While the animal is in foster care and you are looking for owners for it, it would be a good idea to sterilize it. This procedure will make the animal problem-free for future owners, freeing them from the need to find homes for offspring or stuff the pet with hormonal pills during the mating season (which will greatly harm its health).

#5. Searching for owners!

After you have found a temporary shelter, you can finally start looking for real, permanent owners. Take good PR photos for placement in printed and electronic ads. Write the text of the ad indicating all the information about the animal that you have: nickname (even temporary – it will help to personalize the pet in the eyes of potential owners), age (at least approximate), color, size, health (presence/absence of vaccinations, sterilization, treatment for parasites), toilet training, character, history of acquaintance. At the same time, the text should be short and touching enough. Be sure to provide contact phone numbers.

After the “PR” photos and text are ready, the main, most routine part of the placement begins – posting ads.

When you receive a call about the ad, do not be shy and ask everything that interests you, even if the conversation drags on. Otherwise, you will learn something important when it is already too late, and, at best, you will waste your time, and at worst, you will give the animal to unscrupulous people.

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Be prepared that even if you give the animal to new owners, you are not insured against its return. It may not suit them for various reasons. Be ready to take your pet back and look for an owner for it again. We wish the best owners for your pet!