By Jhet Manio
Rescuing an animal is very challenging. You have to consider a lot of things to be able to execute a successful rescue.
But the challenges do not measure up to the reward and the joy of seeing a rescued dog or cat transform into a beautiful, healthy, happy dog or cat after the rescue, medical treatment, and rehabilitation to heal them from the trauma they experienced on the street, the pound or in the hands of an abusive owner.
I started as a volunteer. I helped feed strays in a pound and on the streets.
By doing small acts of kindness, I realized I can do more to help animals in need.
I decided to rescue.
Throughout my journey as a rescuer, I have learned a lot.
I learned that I have to prepare myself prior to rescuing as it can also be a risk to my safety.
While most dogs are friendly, there are stray animals who can be very aggressive due to extreme fear or trauma.''
Here are some tips on rescuing:
>Make sure that you have a pre-exposure vaccination against rabies.
>Prepare your rescue materials: lead or leash, cage or carrier, towel, food to lure the animal.
>Never approach a stray standing up. Do not pet them on the head. They might be threatened by such actions. Any of these actions might make them to attack you.
>Strays can be very distrustful of humans as they have usually suffered some form of cruelty in the hands of humans on the streets. You have to earn their trust first. You can do this by giving food.
>You can sit or squat in a safe distance to be on the same level with the dog or cat.
• Give the animal some food so he will know that you want to help and that you are a friend. It may take a while for the animal to trust you enough to approach the food. Just be patient.
• Once you have earned the pet’s trust, slowly put a leash on him or her. If this is not possible because the animal is a bit aggressive, put the food inside the pet crate. When the animal is already inside the crate, slowly close the door.
• Keep the animal calm by also talking to him in a gentle manner and making him feel safe.
• After getting the dog or cat off the street, BRING THE DOG OR CAT TO THE VET OR THE CLINIC. DO NOT BRING THE ANIMAL STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOUSE. YOUR OWN PETS MIGHT BE INFECTED WITH A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE.
The animal usually has been exposed to or has been infected with an illness while living on the streets and scavenging for food in trash bins. The dog or cat has to be checked and treated for communicable and life-threatening diseases. The dog or cat also need treatment for other illnesses that may be causing him or her pain and discomfort. Please request for tests and run a full blood work.
• Remember to give all the medicine prescribed by the vet.
• After the dog or cat is declared completely well by the vet, have the dog or cat vaccinated,
• It is also important to have them spayed or neutered so that they will not reproduce. This will help control animal population, and thus lessen the number of dogs and cats who will be abandoned and end up as strays.
Rescuing is very rewarding specially when you see them in loving homes.
The process of looking for a lifetime, loving adopter takes time and patience.
We must ensure the dog or cat will not end up in a worse situation before the rescue. We must ensure the dog will not go to an adopter who will not feed him or will neglect him, or even hurt the dog or cat.
Here are some guidelines on having a dog or cat adopted:
• Screen applicants or those who want to adopt the rescue. Watch out for hoarders, breeders, persons who might use the dog as baits for dog fights and cats for experiments or for feeding to snakes, and persons who train dogs for dog fights, among others. (Editor’s note: This will be discussed further in another article.)
• Have an adoption contract signed to protect the dog or cat. One important provision to put in the contract: the dog or cat can not be given to someone else without the consent of the rescuer.
• Make sure that the adoptive family can shoulder the upkeep of the rescue.
• Make them understand the behaviour of the animal that they wish to adopt. Not all
animals will match the adopters. For example, a very energetic or sports- minded
human looking for a companion dog will not be a good match for a senior dog.
• Once they get adopted, always make sure that you get updates from the adopter.
Rescuing requires a commitment from the rescuer to ensure the rescued dog or cat gets the best treatment from DAY ONE and even after the adoption.
This may be tough but seeing their eyes filled with life and happiness brings joy and warmth to one’s heart. That is the greatest reward.
About the author: Jhet Mani’s dog changed her view about animals. She saw strays in a different perspective, which led her to do feeding dogs and rescuing kittens. She has been a volunteer to different SEC- registered animal welfare groups such as Save ALL and CARA where she learned so many things including rescuing, fostering and how to become an even more responsible pet owner. She, along with other compassionate colleagues, put up Reach Out for Animal Rights, Inc. (ROAR, Inc.), a SEC-registered group which promotes animal rights and helps animals in need.