By eHow Pets Editor
Rate: (4 Ratings)
The world has more domesticated animals than people who want pets. This "surplus" of animals end up living outside as strays. These animals are often not used to humans and can be challenging to work with. However, there are steps you can take to befriend stray animals. If you're able to do it, you can save an animal from a hard life on the streets or from a shelter.
Comments
lizvelrene said
on 12/1/2007 Good advice! I see strays in the animal shelter where I volunteer and many of them are quite friendly to humans - some of them are former pets themselves! They will be wary of you on the street but if you take it slow you can win their trust.
One piece of advice - many movements that are friendly to humans are threatening to a cat. Coming at a cat with your hand above him palm down can look like an attack. (Imagine a cat attacking someone to understand why!) Try it with your palm up, and your hand below the cat's head. Also, sustained direct eye contact can be interpreted as a challenge or threat, so try not to stare. Being as non-threatening as possible will help you win your new friend over.
Thanks for a great article!