Maria Chisuroeste

First and foremost, do not attempt to trap stray animals by yourself. Even a weak or hurt animal has the potential to hurt you. If a dog is not someone’s pet you have no way of knowing how long he has been on the streets or what he has been through. He could have a history of abuse or a current injury that might cause him to attack out of fear. If you are unable to lure a dog onto the porch or into your yard with unattended to bowls of wet dog food over a period of time then you will probably not be able to catch him on your one.

Step one in capturing a feral dog is obtaining a humane trap. This is a trap designed for catching animals without harming them. Try contacting your local humane society or a rescue group in the area. Make sure that they show you how to use it before you start the trapping process. When setting the trap try placing it in an area you have seen the dog hang out and bait it with fresh cooked meat or wet dog food. If you already feed the stray try to discontinue feeding for a few days before you set out the trap to make sure he is hungry enough to take the bait when you set the trap. Be aware that you might catch unattended targets like raccoons or other wildlife. If this happens, do not release the animal by yourself. Always call animal control to contain the animal properly. They have protective gear; you do not!

Upon trapping the stray you might realize that he is a docile and sweet dog who was simply afraid to be caught. If this is the case you can try to keep the dog and find him a home, but if not and he shows aggression towards you then you might have to call animal control, the local Humane Society or Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). If you are in doubt or have very little experience handling dogs then it is always best to get help. If you have decided to assess the pet yourself try bringing the trap to a secured area away from your other pets. This could be your yard, basement, screened porch or spare bedroom. Try giving him plenty of food, but do not overfeed. No matter how quickly he eats it up you can not feed excessively because he will get sick. It is impossible to compensate for a continued lack of proper nutrition in one day.

It is likely that your stray has fleas, mites and even worms and needs prompt medical attention. If you can coax him into a carrier try taking him to the Vet’s office for care. If you take him to a private Vet you will most likely be responsible for the full cost of medical care; however, you could try taking him to the Humane Society or the ASPCA for free or inexpensive treatment. Depending upon the dog’s medical and mental condition the organization might ask to take the dog in and determine the best course of treatment; however, if he seems like a mild case they may let you take him home and arrange for his care or adoption. At this point you will have to think about contacting a rescue group to have them find a forever home for your found stray or keeping him for yourself. Either way you go he will need extensive training and socialization. Despite their tough backgrounds street dogs can make wonderful, gentle and well adjusted family pets.

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