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You might have come across a stray dog at some point , and you may have also wanted to bring it home. If you are thinking of adopting a stray dog. Before you choose to do so, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before you claim it as your own.
Things to keep in mind before adopting a stray dog
Before approaching a stray dog, you need to be safe. You do not want them to end up biting you if they are scared. Try to get the dog to come to you; having some food with you and a slip lead may help. If you cannot get the dog to come to you, calling animal control or the police may be your best bet.
When you catch a stray dog, you need first to make sure that it does not have an owner. The best way to find out if a dog has an owner is to check for a collar and tags. If the dog does not have any, you could take the dog to a VET to see if it has a microchip. if not, you should advertise that you have found a dog and allow the owners (if any) to claim the dog. Some places to advertise can be social media, posters in the area, and your local VET clinic.
If the dog is not claimed, then you can assume that it is a stray. Once you have established that the dog is indeed a stray, you need to make sure that it is healthy. Dogs that have been on the streets for a long time might be sick and need medical attention. So please take it to the vet first. In mentioning this, be mindful of the future costs of taking in this dog and whether you can afford to keep it. Also, be mindful of behavioral issues that this dog may have and be prepared to fix those issues.
When the dog has had a health check, you can then adopt it. This means that you will be responsible for the dog from then on.
Things you may be required to do for your stray dog
Depending on the rules in your local area there may be a few things that you need to do before officially adopting the dog:
– Get the dog spayed or neutered. This is important, as unspayed/unneutered dogs can produce unwanted puppies.
– Microchip the dog and make sure that all of your contact information is up to date. in case the dog ever gets lost.
– Get the dog all of its vaccinations. This is important for both the dog’s health and public safety.
– Register the dog with your local council. This is required in some areas.
– Buy a collar and ID tag for the dog.
After all of the necessary preparations have been made, you can finally welcome your new furry friend into your home! Be sure to have a good supply of food, water, and toys for your furry friend and also a suitable environment for your newly adopted pet!
It may take a few weeks for your new pet to get comfortable with you and your surroundings, make sure to create a comfortable separate area for the dog. Take note of the dog’s behavior during this time so you can accommodate its needs as it gets used to his/hers new home. if you have kids, keep them away from the dog at first and introduce them gradually over time so the dog can get used to each member of the family.
Remember that owning a dog is a big responsibility, but it can be very rewarding. Dogs bring joy into our lives, and they deserve our love and care in return.
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