If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you found a stray animal, you know how stressful it can be to help. Especially when the cold winter months are around us, we need to know the proper steps to take to keep you both safe.
Make sure you don’t cause an accident if you’re driving.
Take proper precautions such as checking your rearview mirror before pumping the brakes, turning your hazard lights on, pulling your car completely off the road, and turning off the ignition.
Risks to be aware of:
- The animal may be injured or sick, and may act unpredictably.
- You could be scratched or bitten as you approach the animal.
- The animal may be scared and on edge.
Steps for safety:
- Always use your discretion. Each situation is different, so make sure you’re considering your safety as well as the animal’s.
- Approach with the situation carefully; use caution as you move towards the animal.
- Catch the animal with a barrier such as a leash.
- If available, use a strong-smelling food such as canned tuna or dried liver to lure the animal towards you.
- Lead the animal to your car, shut the door, and wait for professional help to arrive.
- Call nearby animal control or police for help. This is important whether the animal is injured or just missing an identification tag. (GG recommends micro-chipping…to find a pet if they get lost.)
Important resources:
- Animal control
- Nearby animal shelter
- Local police
Additional tips:
- Check the local laws regarding animal control.
- Understand what resources and help the nearby animal shelter can or cannot provide.
- If possible, take the animal to a veterinarian.
Helping out an animal you don’t know can be scary, but think about how you would want someone to treat your dog or cat in danger!
Visit our website and contact us for more information on upcoming TNR informational events to help you in a situation like this.