Have you heard of the stray dog protests taking over Turkey? People have taken to the streets to protest a “massacre law” that proposes tackling the problem of stray dogs taking over the country as they fear it will lead to culling or overcrowded shelters.
It’s a problem of two sides. Sure, the dogs might be unclean and begging and unpredictable in their behaviour, but there’s a reason “puppy dog eyes” work. Taking in a stray dog can be an incredibly selfless and beautiful thing to do, but there are factors to consider that are often forgotten. Take a look at our guide to taking a stray dog home safely.
Assess the Dog’s Behaviour and Health
Carefully, and we cannot stress enough, carefully, check the behaviour of the dog. Keep your distance to see if the dog seems scared, injured, or aggressive. Note that a scared dog might react violently too, so try to avoid startling it. Let the dog come to you, which might take time.
A good first indicator is a collar, in case your stray dog is in fact just lost. Even if they are abandoned it will tell you that it is likely calm at least. Once you get closer, you can look for tags or a microchip. You might have to take it to a vet to get the microchip checked.
Offer Basic Care
The dog might be hungry or thirsty so you can offer them some food and water. Not only will this make the dog feel better but it will allow you to gain trust. While they eat, you can better check for any injuries. Are they limping, malnourished, have bald spots, etc.?
If you have a leash, and the dog is open to the idea, you can stop it from running away and get it in your car or walk with you safely.
Contact Authorities or a Rescue Organization
This is where you might have to do some research. Different areas have different laws around stray animals, and you will have to do due care to try to return the dog to their original owner before you can claim it as your own.
In Scotland, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 says that you have to report finding a stray dog to the local authority as soon as possible, which is typically the local council’s dog warden service. There is a seven-day holding period where the local authority has to hold onto the dog. If the original owner doesn’t claim the dog in that time, you can take the dog home, but you’ll have to do it through the council.
Considering adoption?
If the seven-day holding period goes by with no owner found, then you’re ready to start your life with your new friend, but there are a few things you should consider before you do. For one thing, talk to the vet about getting its vaccinations and an overall health check. If the dog has a microchip, this will need changed to reflect your details, and if none is found that will need to be installed since microchipping in mandatory in Scotland.
But it’s also worth mentioning that depending on the state of the dog, adopting a stray isn’t going to be an easy job.
Socialization and Training
You might want to spend some time with the dog to feel out its temperament before you commit to taking them home, especially if you have other people in the house, like kids. Assess the dog’s behaviour and needs to determine if training is necessary. Talk to the local authority that was holding them for seven days to ask what their behaviour was like at that time. Depending on how long they’ve been on the street, you can get their basic training or more intense training to calm them.
Conclusion
All that is to say that adopting a stray is a long-term commitment that requires time, resources, and emotional investment. If your dog is injured or emotionally fragile from the experience, you might find that taking care of them is more work than other dogs and that, sometimes, love isn’t enough.