how you can help stray animals
the first thing to remember is not to take stray animals to kill shelters. if you leave an animal at a kill shelter, the animal will not be properly looked after, rehomed, or given a chance. many shelters kill the animals just because they don’t have enough room in the shelter. they decide which animals are more in need of adoption and rescuing, and they don’t consider or care for all of them individually. they euthanise animals that are old, ill, aggressive, unclaimed, or unadopted after a very short period of time. the animals are not kept in clean and safe conditions. they are not given attention, love and care, which leads to depression, anxiety, stress and many other behavioural issues.
an estimated 100,000 animals are killed in council pounds and shelters every year, and most are never given the chance to find a new home.
what to do instead of taking animals to shelters;
rehoming. try and find someone who will adopt and care for the animal. ask your family, extended family, friends, the friends of your friends, your friend’s families and extended families, cousins, uncles, aunts, siblings, and anyone that you know if they will take and care for the animal. if they are already looking for a pet this is an even better idea. if not, make sure you give them plenty of time, space and help with the animal as the animal settles into their home. make sure the animal is being cared for properly there, the people intend to keep it up, and regularly check in on the animal and family. find the animal a forever home.
fostering. you can foster the animal, giving it a temporary home with you, until you can find someone to adopt the animal and give it a safe place to go.
animal rescue groups. there are very good, safe, humane animal rescue groups and animal charities that specialise in caring for animals that need homes or are strays. research properly into any rescue group first, connect with people who have had experience with said group, go and have a look at the rescue first, and meet some of the animals there, talk to staff and volunteers. make sure the group is no-kill, and rehomes and adopts out animals to good homes.
adopt the animal. if you have the time, space, resources and money to care for the animal and you want to care for it, then adopt it. get the animal the right veterinary and health care, prepare to bring the animal to your home, make sure that if you don’t live alone that the people you live with are also prepared and want to help care for the animal/are cool with you bringing the animal in. care for the animal well, give it lots of attention, love, and play, and love them.
if you cannot give the animal to a rescue group and have to take it to a shelter, then research the shelter, make sure it is a humane, safe, no-kill shelter, look into the shelter properly and check the health regulations, state and condition of the animals, staff behaviour, and if there are volunteers working there. possibly interact with some of the animals there, and make sure they get attention and proper care at the shelter. then and only then take the animal to the shelter and make sure the shelter will be looking to rehome the animal to a good, safe family.
other ways to help stray animals:
provide them with food and water. this can be done by setting up a food and water station in a safe and accessible area. that way you can ensure that the stray animals nearby have access to the nutrition they need.
provide them with shelter. you don’t have to adopt the animal to make sure they’re safe. you can set up a shelter in your yard, garage, or basement. you can build a shelter out of wood or other materials. this will provide the animals with a safe place to rest and/or stay warm during cold weather.
volunteering. volunteering to help stray animals is a good and safe way to help them. animal lovers can step forward to help strays in their communities get vaccinated, treat injuries and even find new homes. they can assist in the establishment of adoption centres and humane shelters.
look out for stray animals. stray animals' lives are incredibly hard, with many daily challenges. it is a struggle for them to find food, water, and shelter, and they are without medical care. they are also deprived of the love and companionship they need to survive. each day is a struggle for them. don’t let them suffer in silence. do whatever you can, even if that is not much. it’s better then nothing. spread awareness for stray animals whenever you can.
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