How to help strays

If you are going to attempt to help strays you need a plan. What will you do with them once you have them is the most important. Will your vet take them/hold them? Is it in council hrs? Will the animal have to stay in a trap or confined for over 12 hrs?

Set the scene and build trust.

Leaving food in the same place and time will help keep an animal in a particular area which make sit easier to sight. Make sure its a safe place for them and you. If you sit quietly at the time you leave food just on dusk is best, your stray should feel safe enough to come out.

This may takes days or even weeks, so how committed are you?

If its a cat this is usually where you will need a trap - these can be hired from pest control businesses. Make sure you are setting a trap at a time where council can collect or you KNOW a vet will take them. Otherwise think about where you will keep it and for how long.

They may urinate in fear so have them on a towel and also a light sheet or towel to cover them over and make sure other animals cannot get to them and undercover. Remember, they are trapped so cannot escape predators or the weather.

Dogs you will need a lead at the very least. This can be looped to go over their head if no collar. Placing food within the loop so their head goes through it to pick food up off the ground is good as you can then quickly pull the loop tight and they are on the lead. They will pull away so make sure your ready.

Hand feeding can help build trust - have a cage or lead handy.

Most of all make sure if you are removing an animal from an environment it knows that you can manage them safely until they get to a vet or the council.

Never give an animal to someone you dont know or trust to keep them safe. Dog fighting and pigging are rife and kittens and cats are often used to blood them.

These animals lives are in your hands.

If the animal is injured you can call 1300 animal to see if the RSPCA Ambulance can assist.

Helpful Numbers:

Greencross Aitkenvale - 47 792500

JCU Vets - 47 813 600 (24hrs)

NQ Care - 4457 2000 (24 hrs)

Council - 13 48 10