How to Befriend Strays

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.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get down on the ground when you first approach the stray animal. Being low to the ground makes you less intimidating to the animal. Stay still and try not to make sudden movements that might scare the animal. Let him get used to your presence and realize you aren't going to hurt him.

2. Provide the animal with some pet food. Gradually start putting the food closer and closer to you until the animal trusts you enough to eat right next to you. If you touch the food with your hand before giving it to the animal, it associates your scent with food, possibly helping the animal think positively towards you. Tuna and liver are good foods to use because they have strong scents that entice the animal.

3. Reach your hand out and let the animal sniff it when it gets close to you. Extend your hand slowly and gently and hold it in place until the animal sniffs it. The stray animal likely won't trust you until she can smell you.

4. Pet the animal gently after it has sniffed your hand. If the animal sniffs your hand and backs off, try to lure it back close to you with food. Pet the animal only after he seems comfortable sitting close to you.

5. Take the animal to see a veterinarian after she has been comfortable with you for a few days. Let the animal start to get used to you, first. The veterinarian then can perform a health examination and provide any necessary vaccinations.

Tips & Warnings

• Young stray animals are easier to befriend than older ones. Look for a kitten or puppy.

[lizvelrene]

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!