It can be a little bewildering to spot a stray dog in our concrete jungle, and we may feel compelled to render assistance. However, we at SOSD have put together this brief, handy set of tips to help you assess the situation and decide on your next course of action, so do have a read first!
I see a litter of puppies and no mummy around!
Adorable, cuddly puppies evoke squeals of delight from the most stoic of us. In the event that you do spot an unattended litter of puppies, resist the urge to take them away, as, in most cases, there is a frantic mummy missing her babies when she comes back for them later. Mummy dogs usually park their babies at a place and look for food before returning to feed the little ones. In addition, try not to touch them as the puppies will smell different and mummy may not accept them anymore.
It is a better idea to observe the situation over the next few days to see if mummy has come back for them, or if the puppies are in immediate danger, injured or severely malnourished, before contacting for help.
What should I do when I come across an unattended dog?
1. Assess the urgency of the situation
Seeing an unattended dog roaming in public is like seeing a fish out of water. Your protective instincts may implore you to help it, but you want to make sure that you are not unintentionally making the situation worse. For instance, if you see a dog stuck in traffic, running after the dog could put you, surrounding pedestrians and passing motorists in great danger. In this case, it might be safer to wait until the dog is in a safe place before providing assistance. Conversely, if a dog is already in a safe place, approaching or chasing might scare the dog and unwittingly place it in a dangerous situation. Only if the dog is in need of help and your surroundings are safe, should you proceed on your path to animal heroism. Most of the time, unless the dog is injured, it IS better to leave them alone.
2. Determine ownership
Before you whisk a dog away to safety, ensure that the dog is actually alone and not simply separated momentarily from its owner. You can save yourself a lot of time and hassle, avoid potential criminal charges and distress for all parties involved by making sure the dog is alone.
3. Analyze the behaviour of the dog
Dogs on the street generally fall into one of two categories: a dog that has been separated from its owner, or a stray dog without a home or loving family. Though all dogs are worthy of love and can be in need of rescuing, there are additional concerns that must be taken into consideration when attempting to rescue a stray. It’s important to remember that not every stray dog is suitable for home living. Some may prefer their freedom as free-roaming dogs and may not adapt well to the constraints of a home environment.
4. Contact AVS or a Local Animal Welfare Group (AWG)
If the dog appears injured, sick, or in need of help, contact an AWG like SOSD (info@sosd.org.sg), SPCA or call the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). Send us videos of the dog, so that we can assess the dog’s condition and provide advise on the next suitable course of action.
5. Restrain the dog
If the dog appears to be friendly enough, and is likely a lost pet, and you feel confident and safe doing so, you can try to guide the dog to a safe area away from traffic or other dangers. If it’s possible to safely leash the dog, do so, but be aware that the dog might not trust you immediately. Keep calm, avoid pulling on the leash, and go slow and gentle with the dog.
6. Bring it to the vet
Once you’ve managed to restrain the dog for its own safety, you can begin the process of returning it to its rightful owner. Checking the dog’s microchip will be the first thing they do if you bring a stray dog into any veterinary clinic. If it’s determined that the dog has an owner, he or she will be notified and your job is done.
7. No microchip? No problem
Even if the dog does not have a microchip, there are still ways to find the dog’s owner.
Here’s what you can do:
- Call SPCA & AVS to report a found dog.
- Share a ‘found dog’ post on your social media and tag relevant Animal Welfare Groups (AWGs) so we can help spread the word to our followers.
- Post “found dog” flyers around the neighbourhood where you found the dog. If the dog has a home, it is likely that it didn’t wander off too far from it.
8. Provide it with shelter
Consider fostering your newfound friend while you search for its owner or help find it a loving home. If you’ve already fallen in love, why not adopt? Keep in mind that many Animal Welfare Groups (AWGs) are often at full capacity with other rescues and dogs already waiting for homes. Bringing another dog to a shelter may mean a longer stay than we’d prefer for them.
I need advice…
We get many calls daily, and chances are, we will not be able to take in the dog due to the lack of resources.
We would appreciate it if you could email us at info@sosd.org.sg. Please include the following information in your email:
1. Date & time the dog was first spotted
2. Where is the dog currently
3. Male/Female, and if it is sterilized
4. Temperament and physical condition of the dog
5. Attach picture(s) of the dog
