The Do’s And Don’ts Of Finding A Stray Animal

1. DO approach slowly

Image Source / Reddit.com

If you find a stray animal that isn't supposed to be in the wild, the first thing that you should do is make sure you approach the animal slowly and cautiously, making sure you use non-threatening body language.  You don't want to startle it and scare it off and likewise, you don't want it to come at you and potentially cause you injury.

2. DON'T make any sudden movements

Image Source / Reddit.com

The stray animal might be feeling incredibly frightened and skittish, so it is really important that you completely avoid making any sudden movements or loud noises.  This is because these might startle the animal and make it more likely that they clear off or attack you.

3. DO speak softly

Image Source / Reddit.com

As well as making sure you are moving slowly and not making any sudden movements, the animal will need to see you're not a threat through your voice too.  Speak softly to it to help to calm the animal down and prevent it from either scarpering or attacking.

4. DON'T force physical contact

Image Source / Reddit.com

Being aware of the animal's mood and temperament is really important, and sometimes, their fear might come out as aggression.  You don't want to traumatize them even more so make sure you don't force any physical contact or try to grab the animal, even if you think it's going to run away.

5. DO keep a safe distance

Image Source / Reddit.com

If you find a stray animal, it is of utmost importance that you consider your own safety first.  Stray animals might be traumatized and frightened so it is important that you maintain a safe distance from the animal and avoid backing it into a corner.

6. DON'T assume it's abandoned

Image Source / Reddit.com

Even if the animal looks classically stray with no owners, it is really important that you don't assume that it has been completely abandoned.  It might still have owners, so make sure you conduct a proper investigation before making any solid decisions.

7. DO provide food and water

Image Source / Reddit.com

If the animal seems receptive and you think it needs your help, if it is stray, chances are that it's not been eating or drinking very much for an unknown length of time.  So do build further its trust in you by providing it with suitable food and water.

8. DON'T walk away

Image Source / Reddit.com

If you find a stray animal, it is really important that you don't assume that someone else will take care of the issue.  The animal could be someone's pet or even pose a danger to the public, so make sure you take care of it rather than walking away.

9. DO contact local shelters

Image Source / Reddit.com

Once you have connected with the animal and fed and watered it, the next thing that you should do is report the stray animal to the authorities so they are aware.  To do this, be sure to contact local animal shelters, rescue organizations, or even animal control.

10. DON'T make assumptions about the animal's behavior

Image Source / Reddit.com

It can be quite alarming to find a stray animal, especially if it appears unkempt and disheveled but it is so important that you don't just assume that the animal is aggressive or dangerous based on what it looks like.  Likewise, if the animal is smaller, or clearly healthy, don't assume that it is calm and safe.

11. DO provide a temporary shelter

Image Source / Reddit.com

You will probably not want to take the animal into your home, and this is not advised, but it is a good idea to provide the stray animal with a temporary shelter that can protect it from the elements and keep it warm.  You could use a box and fill it with blankets to make it comfortable.

12. DON'T neglect your own safety

Image Source / Reddit.com

You must make sure that you make sure that put your own safety first when caring for a stray animal.  Don't put yourself in harm's way for the sake of trying to help the stray animal.  It won't do you or the animal any good if one or both of you are injured.

13. DO use gloves or towels if necessary

Image Source / Reddit.com

Try to not handle the stray animal too much unless it is completely necessary for its safety.  If you absolutely have to, handle it with caution.  To exercise caution when handling a stray animal, be sure to use old towels and gloves to protect you both from injury.

14. DON'T allow children to handle the animal

Image Source / Reddit.com

If you are unfamiliar with the animal, which you will be at first, it is important that you do not allow children or inexperienced individuals to care for or handle the animal.  They will not have the proper knowledge to approach or handle the animal with the appropriate care.

15. DO keep an eye on the animal's behavior

Image Source / Havahart.com

You will also need to make sure you observe the stray animal's behavior and look out for signs of aggression or fear.  Doing this will help you to adjust your approach to communicating and caring for the stray animal appropriately to effectively meet their needs.

16. DON'T ignore advice

Image Source / Reddit.com

It is important that you seek advice and guidance from professionals and that you do not ignore this advice.  You need to come together to find the best outcome for the animal first and then for everyone involved.  So don't keep it isolated without seeking help.

17. DO check for ID tags

Image Source / Reddit.com

You should also make sure that you check for identification tags because these may tell you whether the stray animal actually has an owner. Many pets will have their own identification tags that will include contact details and an address for their owners.

18. DON'T ignore the fact that it could be someone's pet

Image Source / Reddit.com

No matter what state the animal is in, you should never assume that the animal doesn't have an owner.  And no matter how attached you might get to the animal, you need to make sure that you do not lose sight of getting them back home as they belong to someone else.

19. DO foster if you can

Image Source / Reddit.com

If you are able to, it might be a good idea to consider fostering the stray animal.  You might have built up an element of trust and friendship with the animal that will make you the perfect candidate to foster them until they find their forever home.

20. DON'T post misleading information

Image Source / Dosomething.org

If you are posting on social media, it is important that you do not spread any misleading information about the stray animal.  Do not post your assumptions about how it has been abandoned or mistreated without getting confirmation from the authorities.

21. DO spread the word

Image Source / Aacounty.org

Once you have contacted the authorities and checked for an identification tag, you should also make sure you spread the word as best as you can to let people know that you've found a lost animal.  You can create posters or take them to social media to attempt to locate the owner.

22. DON'T hesitate to reach out for help

Image Source / Deccanherald.com

If you find a stray animal and are feeling the tug of responsibility to get it home, you should know that you are never alone in this venture.  You can reach out to the authorities, and even to friends and family to support you with this.  You're doing the right thing!

23. DO seek advice

Image Source / Petmd.com

This might be completely new to you, or it may not, but either way, you should make sure you seek advice and guidance from a local animal welfare and rescue organization.  This way, you can get help with deciding the best course of action for the animal.

24. DON'T provide human food

Image Source / Fourpaws.com

You might not have pets so might be unaware or completely out of suitable food for them.  But it is so important that even if this is the case, you don't under any circumstances feed them human food.  It can either make them sick or not provide them with the sustenance that they need.

25. DO consider adopting if you can

Image Source / Msspan.org

If the animal doesn't have an owner, or the previous owner is nowhere to be found, you might want to consider adopting the animal as your own if you can.  Obviously, this is down to personal preference but the valuable trust you've already built will make the animal feel right at home.

26. DON'T close your mind

Image Source / PETA

You should make sure that you approach the situation with an open mind and make sure you don't make assumptions about the pet's temperament based on first impressions or on what it may look like.  You should also be open to advice too so you can come to the best solution.

27. DO consider a vet

Image Source / Reddit.com

The stray animal might potentially be showing signs of injury or illness so it might help to consider taking them to a local veterinarian to get them checked over.  However, vets bills can be pretty pricey so you might want to leave this up to the authorities.

28. DON'T judge or blame

Image Source / Emergingeurope

It is also important that you don't judge or blame the animal for its situation.  It's not their fault that they are stray, and you do not know the circumstances of how they because of a stray animal or a lost pet.  So make sure you enter the situation without judgment and with empathy.

29. DO provide love and compassion

Image Source / Fourpaws.com

You don't know what the stray animal has gone through in their lives, and if they're lost from their home, they might be feeling pretty traumatized and very stressed.  So it is so important to provide love and compassion for your new friend and offer them support at this difficult time.

30. DON'T give up

Image Source /

Fourpaws.com

It is important that you do not give up trying to find a suitable solution for the stray animal that you found and cared for.  It might be that they need to be reunited with their owners, taken to the vet, adopted, or taken to an animal shelter or rescue center.