So you found an animal in need?
No doubt we can all agree how hot it has been this summer. Not only is it hot for us , it is also hot for our furry friends as well! So what happens when you find an animal in need? There are a few steps you can take to make sure your friend is well taken care of.
Is this animal native wildlife? If so take note of a few things.
Does it have open or visible wounds?
Is it acting abnormally?
Does it seem to be breathing rapidly?
These are all questions that your local animal control or vet are going to ask. Always assess your surroundings, your safety is number one! Your local animal control or veterinarian should be able to guide you to the correct phone number if they are unable to help.
If you feel that you can safely handle the animal, make sure that you have gloves on. For
smaller animals, put them in a box padded with shredded newspaper or towels, and in an area that is quiet until you are given further instructions. Make sure that if you do handle the animal to wash your hands vigorously afterwards.
For a dog or a cat that doesn’t seem to have anyone with them, go ahead and call the local shelters and veterinarian. If they are friendly, try and read their tag, you might be able to get in touch with their owner. In this day and age, most pets are micro-chipped so the vet can be a great help! Even though you might have the urge to give the dog water or food, hold off on doing so until you contact the vet. Dog’s and cat’s have allergies too so you don’t want to upset their stomach, and chugging water isn’t good for humans and animals alike!
Let’s all have fun for what’s left of the summer and keep our friends safe in the process!