| When you encounter a stray dog approach | | | | kill shelter that has room. The worst choice, but |
| cautiously. It will let you know what it thinks of | | | | one you will have to make, is to surrender it to |
| the situation. Tail high, yawning, showing white at | | | | the local animal shelter. Please exhaust every |
| edge of the eye, licking its mouth with no food | | | | possibility before you do that. |
| around or showing teeth are some of the signs | | | | Cats are a different animal. Identifying them as |
| warning you to stay away. A wagging tail does | | | | strays or ferals is difficult at best, but appearance |
| not always mean they are friendly. If you see | | | | is one indicator. Those wearing collars generally |
| these signs contact a professional to handle the | | | | are someones pet making their rounds. If they |
| situation. If you feel comfortable, approach slowly, | | | | come to you, it's okay to offer them food or |
| keep your hands down and don't look it in the | | | | water. They will usually go home when they are |
| eye. Speak softly and slowly extend the back of | | | | ready. |
| your hand and let him sniff it. NEVER kneel down! | | | | Feral and stray cats will seldom come to you. |
| Once the dog is comfortable, check for | | | | They are not used to people and most have little |
| identification. If it has no identification. and you can | | | | reason to trust people. Put out food and water at |
| put it up or find it temporary shelter, ask your | | | | the same time every day and gradually they will |
| veterinarian to check for an identity chip and | | | | connect you to the source. Once they start |
| examine it for health risks. Ask neighbors if they | | | | waiting for you, set a live trap (animal cotrol will |
| know the dog or you can put up flyers. Check | | | | generally loan you one) to catch it. Have it spayed |
| lost and found ads in local publications. Once you | | | | neutered and release it. Continue feeding and |
| have exhausted efforts to find the owner you | | | | watering. CONGRATULATIONS!! You have just |
| have some choices to make. | | | | became a member of the trap/neuter/return |
| The best choice would be to keep it. If that is not | | | | (tnr) community! If there are multiple cats, you |
| an option, put it up for adoption, try to find a no | | | | can be a genuine feral colony caretaker. |