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| Image from Tesss.com |
From the essentials for your average Samaritan, all the way down to the optional, but helpful things. Use this list as a guideline and check list, and work your way down according to your community's need: if you frequent loose-dog neighborhoods with antisocial residents, you'll need more supplies than if you live in neighborhoods with helpful residents and few loose dogs. Keep these supplies in your glove box, under your seat, or in your purse/bag. Just don't forget them at home because they are then useless!
Slip Lead - The cheaper, the better. Frequently, owners will take the leash with them because they have no other means of getting their loose dog from one location to another. Alternatively, in a pinch, use a normal dog leash and slip the clip through the handle.
Cell Phone and Adequate Phone Numbers:
- Your local emergency veterinary clinic
- At least one local non-emergency veterinary clinic
- Your local animal law enforcement agency
- Additional veterinary clinics, helpful friends, rescue and shelter contacts
A Strong, Willing, and Helpful Attitude - Owners will give you nasty, or "so what?" responses when you return their dogs. Sometimes, you'll see the same dog loose many times. Don't give up. Just know that every time you get the dog back in the house or yard, you're preventing at least one accident. If it becomes habitual in your neighborhood, call your local animal law enforcement agency.
An Extra Lead or Gauze Wrap and the Know-How of How to Make an Impromptu Muzzle
Smelly, Tasty Treats With a Long Shelf Life
Towels and Blankets - To absorb bodily fluids and/or use as a stretcher.
a Filled Water Bottle and a Bowl
a Stress-Relieving Remedy, like Pet Essences Emergency(for you and the dog)
This post and list is dedicated to Hannah, the beautiful Husky who was hit by a car this morning. Wherever she is now, I hope she is comfortable and happy, and I send her family healing thoughts. Hopefully, the awareness that this accident created for me, channeled into this list, can help other dogs like her. Other dogs that are scared, loose, or hurt.
Hi Cynthia!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. Most people don't realize they will come across a stray dog or cat in their lifetime. I have supplies for rescuing cats but now I realized I need to gather a few more items in the event I come across a dog which I have in the past. Thankfully they were friendly and unharmed.
Looking forward to having you move to Miami in a few years!