Nothing is more heart wrenching then seeing a stray dog on the side of the road and realizing he is alone. What do you do? Do you stop and try to recover him or drive on, hoping someone else will take care of him? Most animal lovers pull over and try to help, what other options do you have really?

 

How to Help Rescue a Stray Dog

 

Understanding your role as a rescuer and being prepared before you find a stray dog can make all the difference in an emergency situation.

 

Always carry an extra leash,  collar  and blanket and/or towel in your car in case you happen upon the above scenario. That being said, if you do not have a collar or leash in the car, a belt or the strap from a bag works nicely in a pinch. The blanket or towel has many uses: cover the back seat of your car to protect it from a dirty dog, to dry a wet dog, to warm a cold dog, or to carry an injured dog.

 

It also helps to know the laws and jurisdiction of found stray dogs in your area. Some cities have multiple animal control offices and humane societies within their borders and knowing who to call is vital in the case of an injured dog. Have the various phone numbers programmed into your cell phone.

 

Know where the 24-hour emergency veterinary hospitals are in your city. Many small clinics close at 5 pm – who are you going to call if they are closed? Although most clinics have a vet on call, you are more likely to be directed to the nearest 24-hour facility in the case of an injured stray dog. Emergency hospitals not only have doctors and staff on site, they also understand the laws and regulations regarding stray dogs and are more likely to welcome an injured dog in the wee hours of the morning.

  

If you found a stray dog, protect yourself first! Pull off the road safely, put your hazard lights on, and remember to apply your parking brake, turn off the car and take your keys with you!

 

When approaching the dog, remember that a lost or injured dog can be unpredictable when a stranger approaches. Move slowly, do not slam your car dog, and be prepared for the dog to dart away if he is able so approach him in such a way that if he darts, it is to safety, not into traffic. Also be prepared for him to be aggressive – do not get out of your car if you do not feel comfortable. Instead, stay in your car and call animal control while you monitor his movements from the safety of your vehicle.

 

If he is injured and not able to move, approach him slowly and talk to him in a reassuring voice. An injured dog is likely to snap or growl at a stranger and who can blame them?

 

A simple way of protecting yourself is to carry an old pair of nylons (cut into two legs) in your car as part of your rescue kit. Make a loop in the middle with half a granny knot and secure it over the dog’s muzzle, making sure to keep fingers out of snapping distance. Once it is around his muzzle, wrap it around the back of his head and secure it there. On a big, strong dog, you may want to bring the nylon back around to his muzzle and wrap it a few more times so that he cannot open his mouth wide enough to bite you. Smaller dogs are usually contained with one loop.

 

Always keep your safety in mind when helping the animal. If he is injured and on the roadway, divert traffic around the both of you and try to get him over to the side. If you are on the side of the road, be aware that cars may not see you if you are bending over – be prepared to jump out of the way of traffic if necessary, even if it means leaving the dog behind.

 

Once you have a leash on a mobile dog or have the muzzle on the injured dog, it is now time to try to get him into your car. Bribing the leashed dog with food is always the easiest way to convince a hungry, stray dog to get into a strange car. Once he is in, secure the leash to a seat belt or D ring if he is in the back of an SUV – you do not want him jumping around the car as you drive!

 

An injured dog is more difficult to move. In an ideal situation, someone else would have stopped to help by now and it is easier to move the dog onto the blanket stretcher. If you are by yourself and the dog is larger then you can safely carry, call a friend or animal control to come and give you a hand. If the dog is small enough to pick up on your own, wrap him in the blanket securely and gingerly pick him up. Again, secure him in the car somehow if you are able.

 

If at any time you feel your safety is at risk, call the local animal shelter or even the police. On busy roads especially, police are happy to come and help an animal in need – a lot less paperwork is involved in assisting you then trying to tidy up the accident caused by someone hitting you, the dog, or your car!

  

Once you have the dog in your car, take him to your local animal shelter or 24 hour emergency hospital. Give them as much information as you can including where you found the dog and when. Let the receptionist know if you are interested in keeping the dog if the owner is not found.

 

Finding a stray dog can be stressful as well as a rewarding experience. Preparation is half the battle while staying calm and alert throughout the situation will help keep you both safe!