help me with a stray dog?

[Syrinx]

There's a stray dog here. She is very malnourished. Looks like she recently had babies. Seems almost feral.

How do I help her? I don't want to call the pound, and I can't afford to adopt her.

[dsc]

1. Do you have one of those animal rescue places around

those sound like a good thing.

[Syrinx]

3. the only one I know of is also the pound

:(

[SoCalDem]

2. Offer shelter, food & water

if you have an unused trash can ( clean one) turn it on its side and put old bedspread etc in it.. If she has puppies, she will bring them to her new "nest".. If she brings them, you can probably get your hands on them and find homes.. Get Mom fixed and try to find a home for her..

That's the only advice I have.. Call a vet nearby and see if they have a "Stray spay & neuter" clinic..

[Syrinx]

6. but she's about wild

she was caught in some vines and kept trying to get loose, so I went to try to help her get loose. she got loose when she saw me coming. she's wild, and runs whenever I walk toward her.

[BrotherBuzz]

10. It takes time

The garbage can idea is good but you need to start in her turf and work it closer over time. An old smelly worn winter jacket (wool!) is good to use in can and it will help her get used to people smell and boy, she needs these smells as well as she needs you. Don't let the skin and bones throw you, she's probably pretty strong and will recover real quick. Get her fixed, and if you haven't become attached, you'll be able to find a good home for her. She needs you.

Thanks

[SoCalDem]

11. She's probably more scared than wild..

People have probably chased her off and may have even shot at her with pellet guns..

If she has puppies stashed somewhere, she will be extra wary of humans.. Instinct tells her that she must get back to them..

Set the trash can/shelter in a secluded area of your yard, where you cn peek at her, but she cannot necessarily see you.. Put the food & water near the shelter, so she knows it's ok to use it..

If it's warm enough, leave the sliding door or window open, so she can hear the sounds of you and yours going about your business..:)

She may have only one or two bedraggled pups left..(Most in a litter die), but the ones who DO survive are usually tough as nails :)

[DuctapeFatwa]

4. give her some cooked oatmeal or other easily digestible food

and some water. Make her a bed with some old soft cloth. If she has any open wounds, clean them gently with diluted hydrogen peroxide.

Tomorrow, start calling everybody you know who might be able to afford to adopt her.

Monday, take her to the vet to see if she has any serious medical problems.

Call everybody you know back and make them feel guilty. If possible, have them come to visit the dog and get to know her.

She will choose.

edit to add that plain old chicken soup is good to give her, if she seems like she hasnt eaten in a while, strain the noodles out, the point is to get some nourishment in her that she wont throw up, just as if she were a human who hadn't eaten in a while.

[Syrinx]

8. thanks!

You and Gloria have inspired me!

:puppylove: :)

[Gloria]

5. I can emphathize with you on this....almost exactly a year ago I

finally "rescued" a min pin that had wandered the neighborhood for 8 months. People had tried to catch him and the pound had tried several times as well. When I finally got him, my plan was to try to get him into a no-kill shelter....but there was no room. So I wound up keeping him although I know he would have been adopted out. But I didn't want to risk his going to an owner who might throw him in the backyard, because I knew he could jump walls easily.

You could put food outside and at least give her sustenance. My guy used to drink from birdbaths, visit yards, construction sites (plenty of them here in the development) and even go into people houses via doggie doors. I've found all this out as I've walked him and people have told me stories about him. But when I picked him up, he was in pretty good shape because he had at least eaten.

The vet told me he was about a year old, so he was only a little 4 month old pup when he started wandering. But with winter coming on, I couldn't stand seeing him so cold.

So, over the course of two weeks I gained his trust by offering food. First at the construction site next door, where he visited, then at the bottom of my driveway, then moved it up gradually up the drive and finally into the apron of the garage (door open). Before I got the food to the garage door, I started sitting there and putting the food a few feet away on the driveway. Then moved the food into the garage apron a few feet away from the chair. I talked to him and would give him more food. During the second week he didn't run so quickly and finally a couple of days before I picked him up, he came next to me and I moved the food to right by my feet. Then I knew he wanted a home. So I then picked him up. He slept for two days and howled at night.

At the very least, maybe you could feed her until you figure out what to do.....Our pound now has a fostering program.....I suggest you call around and see what kind of shelters are around your area....

[Syrinx]

7. thanks!

You and ducttape have inspired me! :)

[Gloria]

9. Don't forget a nice bowl of water out there along with the grub...

I really tried to entice him....I gave him the top quality kibbies I was giving my other two, but added things like scrambled egg, tuna (ate it the first time but didn't like it after that) and also the Prime Cuts in Gravy, which he LOVED (although I don't use it regularly, just in this case.) Also, I would mix in canned food (California Natural, same brand as the kibbies).
I also gave him some good biscuites...he would carry them off and I saw him bury a few....

I would give him some food, then when he finished and was still hungry, I would give him more. At first he would run across the street, but then come back. Gradually, he would stay close. Once at the garage door apron, he would just back off a few feet. He would even stay if I left and went inside to get more food if I ran out. I think he was further "enticed" as he watched me spoon out the food and I talked to him. He really could link me to the food.


My guy would show up at 5:30 AM approx every day; sometimes I would go to the corner and call him ("Sweetie" seemed to come naturally); He would come most afternoons around 4-5 pm, too. Sometimes he wouldn't show in the afternoon. He missed a morning just before I was going to pick him up and I freaked out! I was afraid he had been hit by a car or attacked by another dog or coyote!

I put out a large box with blankets, but he never came back at night to sleep there. I left food outside overnight and I caught a cat eating it one early morning before I took my post!

My reward is that he has turned into a really wonderful companion who gets along well with my two chihuahuas. I love him to death!! We didn't need a third dog, but he has been wonderful. He got me walking again after back surgery and I credit him for really helping me!

[Gloria]

12. How did you do today (Sunday) with the stray??????

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