Most communities today face common problems: improper waste disposal, inability to sustain peace and order, not enough medical facilities and so much more. But it is not always frequent that a community focuses on the stray animals that wander around the area. Most people just ignore them, let them be, or worse, treat them inhumanely.

While fair and safe for the ones in the community to ignore the strays, due to the risk of getting rabies or getting infected by a certain parasite or illness from the strays, I believe that it is also significant that we also consider the well-being and state of the animals as well. We are aware that strays cause the improper disposal and the scattering of feces around sidewalks, and that others are bothered by strays walking freely by the community, YET others do nothing about the strays. I believe that, by addressing the problem, we’ll not only be able to help the animals, we’ll also be able to finally stop the improper placement of animal feces around the area, and less people will be bothered.

1. “IT PROMOTES ORDER IN THE COMMUNITY”

If a Community Animal Shelter were to be provided and funded by the community, since the stray dogs and cats will be sheltered safely there, the streets and sidewalks will be less scattered with strays. It would make the community look cleaner, and the strays would be appropriately segregated, not disturbing anyone nor messily squandering around the areas in the community. As a plus, these stray dogs can be trained into guard or watch dogs to improve security in the community.

2. “LESS RISK OF RABIES OR DANGER”

Streets would be safer and less contaminated with the dangerous risk of getting chased by rabid dogs. Since the strays are orderly put into one safe place, residents won’t have to worry about infectious animals about to pound at them.

The Animal Shelter would also promote good health for the strays as well. This will not only make the animals feel better, this would also lessen the chances of rabies or parasites or risky diseases that can be harnessed by community members.

 

3. “THEY DESERVE LOVE AND CARE TOO.”

Yes, this is a valid reason because in a community, it is not only comprised of people and residents. Those dogs and cats make up that percentage too. Like us, whether they have been domesticated from the beginning or not, those animals want and DESERVE homes as well. They also need food, shelter, and care like the rest of us.

It wouldn’t just be an act done in order to clean the streets of our communities from the scurrying strays, it would be the same as giving the homeless a home. It would be the same as giving food to those who are hungry. It would be a pure act of charity, LOVE and compassion. 

We see these cats and dogs as our companions in life. They make us happy, accompany us, are loyal to us, and are creatures with feelings. Wouldn’t it be fair to make them happy and to care for them as they have cared for us too? They are more than animals, they are a part of the system and a part of our lives.

4. “IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR PET OWNERS TO FIND THEIR LOST PETS.”

If there would be an ACTIVE animal shelter in the community, pet owners can easily locate their lost companions. Since the animals are given emphasis, pet owners can not only rely on the ones in the animal shelter, they can also rely on the people in the community since they have a place where they have found the stray OR lost pet.

Lately, we see numerous strays around the area. Whether it was a lost pet or not, we didn’t have a single place to safely place it in. If a Community animal shelter was built, all lost pets, strays, and reports of strays and other will go directly THERE without complications.

5. “EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE A HOME.”

The community is safer, cleaner, and warmer since everyone, including the animals, would have homes to sleep in, homes to rest in, homes to go to, and homes to care and protect them. Strays would no longer be treated as trash, for they also have good homes and enough care to fulfill their needs

In addition, others can go to the Community Animal Shelter, and there, they can adopt once-stray doggies or cats in order to give them new, bigger homes. The Animal Shelter would be a safe haven for all animals in the community.

 

 

ALWAYS REMEMBER!

When attempting to help the strays, it is important to consider…

Safety First

No matter how much your heart may want to help a stray, if the dog is foaming at the mouth, looks sickly or is growling and acting defensive, always think safety first. Sick dogs can pass on several illnesses or parasites including rabies, scabies, worms and other nasty things. Yes, you may want to help, but if you do, you may also be bringing home a batch of fleas that will be very difficult to get rid of, especially if you have pets of your own. If the stray seems dangerous, call for professionals.

• Friend or Foe — If a stray is naturally friendly, it may just need to be found. These types of dogs most likely came from a good home, got lost and don’t want to be wandering around. If a stray dog literally comes up to you and shows no fear or aggression, catching them or luring them into your car is probably a good idea for a trip to the local animal shelter. If they growl and run away, or just growl and stand their ground, the animal may be feral, and your local Humane Society should be called.
• Sickly Looking — A sickly looking pooch doesn’t mean the dog has been ill cared for, it may just mean it has been wandering around for a while looking for its home. It may be malnourished, have cuts, scratches, hair falling out, covered with mud or burrs, and other physical signs that it has been away from human contact for a long time. If it is friendly, you may be able to lure it into your vehicle and get it to a shelter. Food, water and a bath may be all it needs on the road to being found again.
• Happy Go Lucky — This is the easiest stray to deal with, it has just probably been separated from its owner and wants to be found A.S.A.P. If it runs up to you, jumps up, rolls on the ground at your feet and other signs of affection, chances are it wants to get back home right away, and there may even be signs posted in the neighborhood, or local paper, with name and number, a picture and who to contact.

 

 

“All of these things can be easily be done by a novice, and may make a huge positive difference in the life of a stray.”