Found Pet – How to Rescue a Stray

Please do not ignore a stray animal – they need your help.  They are frightened, often injured and in pain, cold, and hungry.  The Shelter will take and make every effort to find the animal a quality home.  They can not survive on their own.  

Rescue a stray dog.

Rescue a stray cat.

Rescue a stray bird

If you've rescued an injured stray during non-Shelter business hours.

Keeping the stray you've rescued

Consult your local Shelter (Dearborn is 313-943-2697), your local paper, or the Petznjam web site to see if the animal you are trying to rescue has been reported lost by their owner.  Contact any potential owners to solicit their help with the rescue.

Rescuing a Stray Dog

     Any dog on its own (no obvious owner around) is a stray. 

·         If you are reluctant to make contact with the dog, or the dog appears in any way to be hostile, or the dog is on the run, just phone the Shelter and an animal control officer will be dispatched to rescue the dog.  NEVER risk your own safety.

·         Most volunteers carry pet food and leases in their trunks for stray rescues.

·         If you are not afraid of the dog, try to get the dog to come to you.  If it is friendly and you are able to catch it, put it in your car, backyard, or any other confined location.  Either transport it to the Shelter or call the Shelter to have the dog picked up.

·         If the dog is frightened and will not come to you, try to corner it into a confined area (fenced backyard) and contact the Shelter to pick the dog up.

·         If you are unable to confine the dog and the Shelter is unable to rescue it and you are willing to invest some time in the rescue, start placing a food dish at the same location daily.  The dog will find the food and after a couple of days, wait for you to put it out.  The Shelter (a staff member or volunteer) will work with you to rescue the dog.  If you are not willing to do this, please still notify the Shelter that you continue to see the dog.  

Rescuing a Stray Cat

Stray cats also are easy to identify.  You probably know any neighborhood cat whose owner (unfortunately) lets them out and will recognize when a new face appears.  Outside your own neighborhood, assist any cat that appears injured, infirm, frightened, or obviously misplaced.

·         Try to make contact.  You will know immediately if the cat is friendly and will come to you or if it is frightened and will run.  NEVER risk your own safety.

·         If you are able to get the cat, confine it (car, house, cat carrier, etc.) and bring it to the Shelter.  If you are unable to transport it, contact the Shelter for assistance.

·         If you are not able to get the cat, place a dish of food on your porch to get the cat accustomed to finding it there.  Contact the Shelter to get a live trap.  Place the food in the trap.  Traps must be monitored at least every 15 to 30 minutes to see if the cat is inside (especially in cold weather).  You may transport the cat to the Shelter in the trap or call to have it picked up.  If you are unwilling to do this, please contact the Shelter and a volunteer will assist with this process.

·         As a note about cats, you may encounter a feral cat.  This is a domestic cat who has been a stray for a long period of time or is the offspring of a stray who has never know human contact.  These animals are exceptionally frightened and will not allow themselves to be touched.  They are generally not aggressive, just protective.  Always exercise caution when dealing with an unknown animal.  

Rescuing a Stray Bird

• Locate something in which to confine the bird if you are able to catch it (the Dearborn Animal Shelter has bird cages that they will loan you).

• Stand near where you have seen the bird and hold your finger up.  If the bird lands on it, move the bird into the confined area.

• If the bird will not come to you, hang a bird cage near where you have seen the bird and fill the seed bins.  The bird may seek the shelter of the cage and enable you to close the cage door.

• Contact the Shelter and consult your local paper for lost bird reports.  Contact any potential owners and advise them of the bird's location. They may have more luck than you rescuing their bird.

Injured Stray

Take any injured stray to a vet.  Ask them to contact the Shelter about medical expenses.  During non-business hours, Allied Veterinary Hospital

just west of Telegraph will accept strays and contact the Shelter the next business day.

Should you rescue and wish to keep a stray animal

·         Please contact the Shelter to let them know you have found the animal to provide an opportunity for the owner to find them.

·         See a vet immediately.  NEVER mix a new animal with any existing pets without first taking the new animal to the vet.  The new animal may look healthy, but may carry disease.  Isolate them in a separate room.  Contact the Shelter for information on the proper way to introduce a new animal into your household.

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