Stray dogs awareness

Stary dogs awareness

GROUP MEMBERS
1. Group leader :- Ayushi
2.Neha
3.Deepanshi
4.Ishika
5.Shruti biswas
6.Khushi
Why should I help stray dogs?
The answer is quite simple. Very often, you find yourself stepping out of your home and being
surrounded by stray dogs. Some of them look quite healthy while the others look hurt,
famished, or weak. Some of them even display signs of diseases. Should you just pass them
averting your eyes and get on with your business? What happens if you do that? The stray dog
population increases and in the next few days, you will find only more of them on your streets.
This is not helpful to you and your community and more importantly, is unhelpful to these
dogs. A dog’s behaviour is a product of its environment. Previously abused or abandoned dogs
will be defensive. It is only natural. Hungry dogs will look for food and hope it comes their way
from passersby. People need to have a basic understanding of this when faced with stray
dogs. 
• These dogs have nowhere safe to go and will roam the streets for food. They may wander
into the middle of traffic and may hurt themselves. What’s more, this may cause an
accident. Both the stray dog and people are affected in this case. 
• Stray dogs will not have a place to mark their territories and there is the possibility that
urine or faeces will be all around. Dog waste can be a contaminant in your water and can
get sick with the bacteria in the dog’s faeces. They are a health hazard. 
• Stray dogs may be defensive because they are afraid. Children may not understand this
and may either reach out to pet or shoo them away so that they can play. A frightened dog
may react in anger and aggression. 
• Stray dogs are considered a nuisance. They may be noisy and may be perceived as a
general disturbance in the neighbourhood. 
Despite this, there has been a longstanding misconception about stray dogs – that they are
aggressive and less fun to have around. The truth is, most of these dogs were once pets, or
belonged to a long line of domesticated breeds that have been unfortunate enough to
undergo stressful situations like abandonment and ill-treatment.
Avid dog lovers know that even stray dogs deserve the same amount of love, care, and
attention as their domestic counterparts. So, when there is an opportunity to care for a stray
or an abandoned pet, you can implement these ten useful tips.
 To p ti p s o n h o w t o h e l p s t r a y d o g s
in India
1. Find like-minded neighbours in your community
 The first step to help stray dogs is building a safe haven by creating a community of dog
lovers.
Remember, you are never alone in the fight for a good cause. Searching for fellow dog
lovers in your community is actually quite easy. Just observe the behaviour patterns of
stray dogs towards people in your neighbourhood , and you’ll likely find quite a few like-
minded people who want to help street dogs.
Strays develop a keen understanding of where and when to go in order to receive basic needs
like food and shelter. Once you know whom to trust, simply connect with them. Work
together to find out and arrange for vets, food, shelter, and more. Remember that just feeding
stray dogs is not enough – real caring is when you feed them and also ensure they are
sterilized/neutered by an NGO and get their yearly anti-rabies shot  Caring for dogs as a
community will greatly help in reducing the stray dog population, give relief to overcrowded
animal shelters, and give the stray dogs in your community someone to love and trust and live
a healthy and peaceful life even though it is on the streets
• 2. Arrange for shelter and regular food
• Now the real work begins. This is where taking up responsibility comes into play. To
function better as a community, you must try and segregate tasks among your fellow dog
lovers.  Some may have an idea about the best foods, when to feed and what to
avoid feeding stray dogs, while others will be keen on setting up makeshift shelters out of
cardboard boxes.
• You will also have a young audience who might consider adopting a stray for personal care.
Ensure that kids do not pick up pups and take them home for fun. This is cruelty to the
animals. The pups are best left with their mother and it is helpful if the mother gets good
food at least once a day so she doesn’t have to wander away from the babies looking for
food during the day. Once the mother dog stops lactating, then please contact the nearest
NGO to get her spayed so there will be no pups in the future and she will stay healthy.
• 3. Adopt and support stray dogs
• A healthy dog is a happy dog. Before considering a stray dog for adoption, get the medical
check-up and vaccinations completed A quick visit to your nearest vet is essential. If signs
of unease in the stray dog persist even after treatment, opt for a second medical opinion.
• Bear in mind that you may also come across stray dogs that are in critical conditions, they
may look malnourished, show signs of abuse, or are just too old and weak to be adopted.
Don’t worry, for such stray dogs, you can get in touch with a permanent home where they
can live and be loved just as much as a healthy dog.

• 4. Vaccinate and sterilize/neuter

• If your local animal expert or vet identifies some stray dogs that are of appropriate age to
be vaccinated, don’t hesitate to get this done. Neutering adolescent dogs is also
recommended, and in fact a mandate passed by the Indian government, as it greatly helps
in population control and improves their health.
• If you are not comfortable in directly approaching a stray that needs to be
vaccinated/neutered, contact an NGO that helps dogs. After a dog has undergone the
required sterilization/neutering procedure, it may need five days of rest and medical care
before being let back in the location from where he or she was picked up.
• 5. Raise awareness and learn the laws
• Just like humans, dogs have rights too, and that extends to the stray dog population.
For years, dog lovers have been fighting for a proper legal system that must be set in
place against the unethical treatment of stray dogs. India has one of the world’s best
laws in place to protect the rights of stray dogs. You can read this 
legal framework for stray dogs. Unfortunately, the implementation of the laws leave
much to be desired. So it is important that you spread awareness about such laws
within your community – refer to legal advice and precedents set by courts in India
when in doubt.
• A dog’s loyalty is one of its greatest assets, so ensuring their safety and security
from unlawful activities will help increase the bond you share with them. 

• 6. Prevent and report cruelty

• If you happen to come across animal abuse, don’t just be a mute spectator. If you
see someone beating or troubling a dog, take it personally and object. Try to
educate them instead. Tell them that it is punishable by law to harm or relocate stray
dogs forcefully.
• Some people in your locality may not have the best of intentions for dogs. Keep an
eye out for them and be prepared to solve any conflicts that may possibly arise. In
extreme cases, opting for legal advice can prove useful.
• 7. Rescue a lost or abandoned dog
• As mentioned earlier, a major part of the stray dog population comprises lost and
abandoned pets. It’s not hard to identify them. They will probably have a collar on
and be responsive to commands. Sometimes, such dogs can be hostile or defensive
due to separation anxiety, prior abuse, neglect and sickness. Here’s how you can help
a dog that is lost or abandoned:
• Try to secure the dog and ensure that it receives immediate food, water and medical
treatment.
• Use Facebook groups, WhatsApp, or other social media platforms to circulate images
of the dog.
• Ask around the area for lost dog posters.
• If you receive any claims of ownership, thoroughly verify it before giving up the dog.
• Try for adoption of the dog if no owner is found.
• If you can’t find its owner and there are no leads for adoption, contact a 
dog sanctuary  and surrender the dog.
• 8. Organize a Dog Welfare program
• One of the best and most effective ways to ensure that the stray dogs in your
community are receiving the love and attention they deserve, is to organise a welfare
program. These programs can come in the form of adoption drives, feeding drives,
neutering, and a push for improving infrastructure and medical needs by local
municipal corporations.
• Should you come across a financial roadblock, you can boost funding for such
initiatives by applying for a VOSD grant.

• 9. Become a sponsor, contribute to your favourite

organizations
• You can support the work of VOSD Sanctuary and Hospital by:
• Directly donating to our organization to help support the constant hard work and
dedication of our dog-loving employees.
• Sponsoring a dog of your choice, which involves monthly expenses like food, medicine,
general maintenance, and speciality support.
• Donating to the various campaigns that VOSD promotes to support other NGOs and
individual stray dog caregivers.
vat VOSD, we believe that taking care of stray dogs is more than just a full-time job; it’s
an effort that demands tremendous amounts of care and attention – a feat that can
only be accomplished if we all unite as a dog-loving community.

10.Volunteer your unique skills (rescue, ,manage social

media, raise funds)
• While VOSD doesn’t allow casual visits to its premises, we do encourage dog lovers
to actively participate in our efforts to help stray dogs by volunteering. You can
become a member of the VOSD team in one of three ways:
• Assist at the sanctuary: Help our staff in the daily requirements of caring for stray
dogs. We have opened an internship program for anyone who is interested in
learning about working with dogs and having a career in this domain.
• Spread the bark: When you combine the power of social media with the photogenic
expressions of a dog, you get something truly moving and powerful. Anyone with a
camera and a knack for storytelling can help support VOSD’s work for stray dogs
across India.
• Fundraising for VOSD: VOSD is one of a kind. If you are good at creating online and
 Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. Are stray dogs good pets?

• Unlike the common misconception that stray dogs are difficult to be house trained, it is
actually the opposite. If you are wondering how to take care of street dogs, don’t worry.
Stray dogs have a very friendly nature and are extremely adaptive. In addition, they are
more immune to diseases and shed a lot less, which can save you a lot of hassle. 

• 2. Is it OK to adopt a stray dog?

• Adopting a stray dog is a great idea from a humanitarian as well as ease perspective. If you
are a canine lover and always looking for answers on how to help stray dogs in India,
adoption is the key. Stray dogs make for great pets and can easily be house trained due to
their adaptive nature. They have a strong immune system and can be great companions for
you and your family.  
• 3. Are stray dogs dangerous?
• Many people want to help stray dogs but are worried about contracting diseases. A stray dog
that hasn’t been taken care of definitely poses risks of infectious diseases. However, once
those dogs are well cleaned, vaccinated, and neutered by the medical staff, they will be the
reason for joy in your life. 

• 4. Is it OK to feed stray dogs?

• It is perfectly normal to help street dogs by feeding them as long as you keep a few points in
mind. Firstly, make sure that you feed them at a dedicated time and ensure that they are awa
from any residential areas to avoid canine-human conflicts. Secondly, select separate spots
and amount of food to feed them to reduce their dependence on you. Thirdly, be careful of
any open wounds on the strays and get them treated to avoid further infections. Last but no
least – always ensure that you get the stray dogs spayed/neutered with your local NGO or
private vet hospital. Feeding stray dogs without sterilisation is an invitation to suffering and
misery for the pups born from intact stray dogs. As a dog lover, you must do the best to
ensure the population of stray dogs in your community is controlled through proper
sterilisation programs. It is also essential to get the stray dogs an anti-rabies shot annually.
 5 Wa y s t o H e l p S t r e e t D o g s i n a P a n d e m i c
• The pandemic has literally spun our plans and lives into a mere waiting list to get
on with our hopes all over again. We have been confined to staying inside and
taking the best safety measures to prevent the novel virus from messing with
our immunity. 
• Amid all these unwanted changes, the helpless stray dogs are as much affected.
Spotting dogs in any neighbourhood in India, across all localities, is very
common. In fact, they become known to us and we knowingly or unknowingly
share a warm bond. When the puppies are born they become playmates of the
kids and teens. In such trying times, the dogs have been left all by themselves to
figure out ways of fetching food and looking for shelter. Few people who have
tried to help the strays have often faced rebuke from the community. There are
ample videos on various platforms. The idea comes down to the fact that during
the pandemic, providing sanctuaries to the strays has become a little more
challenging than usual.
• This lockdown came with a lot of wisdom and reflections for us. It calls for a plan
that would ease the process. Here are some steps that might help
• 1. you should be aware of all the dogs  If you care for the dogs in your neighbourhood, and be
able to identify each one of them. Keep a close eye on the count and build a temporary
shelter for the dogs, preferably somewhere isolated. This will let the dogs secure
themselves and also keep them away from the neighbours who are not really dog-friendly!
• 2. There is no harm in boiling a little more rice, lentils, or keeping aside chunks of meat and
bones for your furry friends. We usually spend so much on our impulsive food orders. This
should be an immediate step right after providing them shelter. Not to forget, providing
water to drink should be a constant reminder.
• 3. Pregnant and nursing dogs and puppies are the ones who are more vulnerable than the
rest of the pack. This should be the next concern where we can figure out extra care for
them. A personal tip: puppies eat what their mothers do. Keep a bigger bowl aside and
take liquids and paste-like food in the same bowl. This will not only keep the tummies tight
for the moms but also for the babies.
• 4. Make a WhatsApp group with your friends in the locality to divide the responsibilities.
That way you not only maintain social distancing and physical distancing for each other
but also do not deprive the strays. Be an inspiration!
• 5. Get in touch with online communities. Upload pictures of the dogs and look for genuine
shelters and people who would like to adopt. Connect with various forums and to
encourage people to adopt street dogs instead of buying expensive breeds. Make the best
use of social media.
Moving on from the personal touches, we need to find an absolute way to let them
have a better life. The easiest ways to help the street dogs during the pandemic
are:Foster a furry friend while you work from home. It’s amazing to have a buddy by your
side.
• Keep water and make extra chapatis to feed them.
• If you can’t go out and rescue yourself, the least you can do is donate and spread awareness
about the animal sanctuaries and rescue shelters. Participate in projects to donate animal
supplies.
• If you find a hurt dog, do not ignore him and let him die, contact your nearest NGO/Pet
ambulance. Letitwag.in is doing great service in the field.
• Be vocal for local petitions to save the strays.
Keeping in mind all these points, if these steps and ways are harmoniously
adopted, we will only prove to be better human beings. If lockdown hasn’t made
you kinder, let us start today
 Dog bite
A dog bite is a bite upon a person or other animal by a dog, including from a rabid dog. More
than one successive bite is often called a dog attack, although dog attacks can include
knock-downs and scratches. Though some dog bites do not result in injury, they can result in 
infection, disfigurement, temporary or permanent disability, or death. Another type of dog bite
is the "soft bite" displayed by well-trained dogs, by puppies, and in non-aggressive play. Dog
bites can occur during dog fighting, as a response to mistreatment, trained dogs working as 
guard, police or military animals, or during a random encounter. There is debate on whether or
not certain breeds of dogs are inherently more prone to commit attacks causing serious injury
(i.e., so driven by instinct and breeding that, under certain circumstances, they are
exceedingly likely to attempt or commit dangerous attacks). It is recognized that the risk of dog
bites can be increased by human actions such as abuse or bite training, or through inaction
such as neglect, carelessness in confinement or lack of control.
 Health effects

Rabies results in the death of approximately 55,000 people per year, with most
of the causes due to dog bites.Capnocytophaga canimorsus, MRSA, tetanus,
and Pasteurella can be transmitted from a dog to someone bitten by the dog.
Bergeyella zoohelcum is an emerging infection transmitted through dog
bites. Infection with B. zoohelcum from dog bites can lead to bacteremia.
 Cause
• BreedsAll dog breeds can inflict a bite. Breed is not an accurate predictor of whether or not a
dog will bite.] In the US type and Rottweilers most frequently are identified breeds in cases of
severe bites.This may be due to their size. These breeds are more frequently owned by
people involved in crime.
• In a study comparing media accounts of 256 dog bite related deaths 2000–2009, when a
strict definition was used ("documented pedigree, parentage information, or DNA test results
or on the basis of concordance among media breed descriptor, animal control breed
descriptor, and the veterinarian-assigned breed from a photograph") the resulting 45 dogs
comprised 20 recognized breeds and 2 known crosses. The study also published information
comparing when multiple media reports (or media reports compared with animal control
reports) differed in reporting the breeds. When using a strict definition ('Rottweiler' is NOT
equal to 'Rottweiler-mix') 30%-40% of the reports varied. When using a less strict definition
('Rottweiler' and 'Rottweiler-mix' ARE equal enough) only 12%-15% of the reports varied.
• A 2000 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of human fatalities
from dog bites during the twenty years 1979-1998, reported that Pit bull-type dogs and 
Rottweilers were involved in more than half of the deaths. Published in the Journal of
the American Veterinary Medical Association, the AVMA's opinion was that the study could
not be used to infer any breed specific risk for dog bite fatalities without also noting the
numbers of each breed residing in the US.
 Prevention
• Dog bite prevention is efforts to prevent people being attacked and bitten by dogs.
Legislative bodies have addressed concerns about dog bites that include licensing laws,
statutes outlawing organized dogfights, and leash laws. Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)
 has been enacted in some areas limiting the ownership and activities of dogs perceived to
be more likely to bite and attack.Dog breeds targeted by breed-specific regulations include 
Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Bull Terriers ("Pit Bulls"), Chow Chows, 
German Shepherd Dogs, and Doberman Pinschers. Other measures in preventing dog
bites are Beware of the dog signage and locked dog enclosures.
• Some people, like the very young or the very old, are more susceptible to being bitten and
therefore may need additional methods of prevention.
• Dogs can be extremely territorial and protective. Dogs can attack anyone who poses a
threat to their companions, whether humans, other dogs, or even cats. Dogs can rival bears
and big cats in ferocity when confronting burglars, even if they are ordinarily docile.
• In addition to causing pain, injury, or nerve damage, almost one out of five bites becomes
infected. Those who work and live around dogs should be aware of the risk and take
precautions. Rabies is a particular risk associated with dog bites. In the United States
between 16,000 and 39,000 people come in contact with potentially rabid dogs and other
animals and receive rabies pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis against the rabies virus
each year. Because anyone who is bitten by an unvaccinated dog is at risk of getting
• Identifying the risk of being bitten by a dog can prevent an attack and subsequent injury or
death. Infants and children are more likely to be bitten. Small children can be attacked if
they approach or play with a dog when they are not supervised. Among children, the rate
of dog-bite–related injuries is highest for those five to nine years old. Children are more
likely than adults to need medical attention for dog bites. Men are more likely than women
to be bitten by a dog. Over half of dog-bite injuries occur in the home. Having a dog in the
household is associated with a higher likelihood of being bitten than not having a dog. As
the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the likelihood of being bitten. Adults
with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those
living without dogs at home.
• The behavior of a dog may not always indicate its friendliness or unlikelihood of biting.
This is because when a dog wags its tail, most people interpret this as the dog expressing
happiness and friendliness. Though indeed tail wagging can express these positive
emotions, tail wagging is also an indication of fear, insecurity, anxiety, challenging of
dominance, establishing social relationships or a warning that the dog may bite
Thank you !!!!