There’s a reason why dogs are known as man’s best friend. For generations, humans and dogs have shared a special bond. These affectionate pups support us; they help in minimizing anxiety and stress while still loving us unconditionally. Although we give our pets nice and comforting embraces, there are some unfortunate pups who live on the streets and are frequently deprived of all affection.
Image by pasja1000
If you love dogs but can’t rescue or foster them due to a busy schedule, don’t let go of hope just yet. On Indian streets, there are a lot of Indies, lost, and abandoned dogs who could use your help. Here’s how you can rescue a street dog in your neighborhood:
Find your ‘community dog.’
Find a community dog that you and your friends can care for together. A community dog is a stray dog that is cared for by a single person or a group of people in the neighborhood. The dog continues to live on the street but is not forced to flee unnecessarily. At the same time, it receives assistance from like-minded individuals such as yourself with food, water, and medicines. You are also preventing overcrowding in animal shelters by taking in a stray dog in this manner.
Arrange food and shelter
Make sure your neighborhood dog is fed twice a day and has plenty of water. You can share this burden with eager neighbors. If there are several dogs, make sure each one gets enough food to avoid war. Create temporary shelters out of cardboard boxes, old furniture, and other materials.
Get vaccinations, sterilization & medical care.
In India, sterilizing stray dogs with the aid of a local veterinarian or a non-governmental organization is the most effective way to reduce their population. The dog must also receive basic vaccines and flea care on a daily basis.
Take any dogs that need immediate attention to a nearby veterinarian. Foster the dog in your house, or at a veterinarian hospital, or at a dog boarding facility to ensure that it has a safe place to heal. When the dog has recovered, you can reintroduce it to the location where you first found it.
Dealing with unfriendly neighbors
There could be residents in your neighborhood who aren’t fond of dogs. Keep your eyes peeled for any potential conflicts. The act of forcibly relocating or injuring stray dogs is illegal. So, in the worst-case scenario, call the nearest police station. This is one of the most critical recommendations for assisting a stray dog in your neighborhood.
Helping a puppy litter
After birth, puppies should be left with their mother for at least two months. So, if you come across a mother with a litter, feed them well. When the puppies are old enough, you may start putting them up for adoption or help raise them as neighborhood pets. However, if you come across a lonely puppy that is ill, unable to survive, or in danger of being abused by other dogs or humans, call a shelter.
Dealing with lost or abandoned dogs
Unfortunately, lost and neglected pets make up a substantial portion of India’s stray dog population. These are typically recognized by collars or by their behavior, as they respond to humans, can understand commands, and have a hard time scavenging for food. Here’s how you can help rescue street dogs that were abandoned:
Secure the dog and take care of any immediate food, water, or medical needs.
Take photos of the dog and share them widely on social media platforms like Whatsapp and Facebook. Check social media for lost dog postings and ask around the neighborhood. Any claims of ownership should be thoroughly investigated. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to breeder exploitation, so try to contact a shelter if you can’t find the owner.
Identify dogs incapable of surviving on their own
Dogs that are old or injured may not be able to survive alone on the streets. In such cases, look for possible adopters or contact a local NGO or shelter. You can help in two ways: donations and food contributions. You can also board them at a dog boarding house and pay for food, medical care, and other expenses.
It is a common practice to contact animal shelters or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) right away. Most animal shelters in Indian cities, on the other hand, are already overburdened in terms of space and resources. You can help animals in your area without adding burden to shelters by following these steps on how to rescue a street dog.
