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Pet lovers have soft hearts. We can’t help it. It’s the touch of their soft fur. It’s the purring and cooing sounds they make when they nuzzle your leg on a cold winter evening. It’s the love and attention they give us when the rest of the world seems to have disappeared. So when we see a stray cat or dog in the neighborhood, sometimes it’s difficult to turn them away. But in reality it may be the smartest move for you, your pets, and the rest of your family.

Although it has been known that pets do run away, many stray animals are abandoned by their owners. They may have been neglected and abused and could have an unexpected rage inside of them. Without any history on the animal, you may bring a stray into the home that can not only spread diseases to your other pets, but may pose a safety risk to you and your family. It may be heartbreaking to not bring them inside, but it may also be the smartest thing you can do.

Strays that have been living on the street may have encountered rabid raccoons or other wild animals. Rabies is a virus that is transmitted by animal bites. It can be fatal in animals as well as in humans if not treated early. If untreated, the rabies infection will steadily spread, and symptoms may only appear once it is too late and you or your family have been bitten. You will have to endure many painful injections to treat the disease.

How to Handle a Stray Animal

If seeing the stray in your neighborhood breaks your heart, there are some safe and productive things that you can do to help the animal. Many animals wear a collar and tag with their owner’s contact information engraved on it. Some pets have a microchip inserted under their skin that can be read by shelters and vets to establish the owner’s identity. Some will keep the animal in their kennels while the owner is found, although there are some who will ask you to pay a fee to do so.

If the stray is hanging around your neighborhood, it may just be lost. Take a photo of the animal and print some flyers to put up around town in shop windows and noticeboards. Describe the size, breed and color of the animal and put a contact number on the flyer as well.

As a last resort, you may have to call Animal Control. It is certainly preferable to the possible alternatives – the stray being hurt or killed, or hurting someone else in the area. No matter how innocent we know that pets are, they can become agitated if they are sick or have been abused. This may be the best option for everyone involved.

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