Have you ever seen a stray dog wandering the streets? Believe it or not, there are many stray dogs in Canada. If you see a dog on the street, do your best to help the dog find their way home. Let’s talk about stray dogs in Canada and what you should do if you find them.
Stray Dogs In Canada – Local Places To Bring The Stray Dog
One of the best things you can do for a stray dog is to help it find its home again. But unfortunately, many stray dogs accidentally got out of their yard and happened to get separated from their owners.
So, you can do your best to help reunite the dog with its owner.
On the other hand, it’s not always easy. For instance, the dog might be too nervous or aggressive for you to get close. But, whether you’re able to catch them or you need to call animal control, there are plenty of animal shelters in Canada that will take in stray dogs.
- Upper Credit Humane Society
- AARCS
- Winnipeg Humane Society
- Sarnia District Humane Society
- Alliston & District Humane Society
How Shelters Work In Canada
Canada has over 170 animal shelters. While that doesn’t sound like many, they work hard in keeping dogs and other stray animals off the streets. Also, they do their best to rehome as many animals as possible.
In addition, Canada’s shelters are most well-known for being no-kill shelters. However, some dogs and cats are euthanized throughout the year.
Thankfully, the number of euthanized dogs is low, but some dogs are too unhealthy, or they’ve been at the shelter for too long and can’t get adopted.
Luckily, Canada will only euthanize the dogs as a last resort. Instead, they will do everything they can to keep the dogs as long as possible, trying to find them a good home.
In most cases, dogs aren’t in the shelter for more than 30 days before getting adopted. So, Canadian animal shelters are adequate.
In other words, if you find stray dogs, call your local animal shelter to pick up the pup. They’ll be safe there. And, if the dog gets separated from its owners, then the shelter will do all they can to reunite the dog with its family.
Canada Laws About Stray Dogs
When it comes to stray dogs, Canada doesn’t have any laws or regulations. However, if it’s animal cruelty, such as the family’s purposefully abandoning the dog on the streets, that’s different.
However, if you happen to see a dog on the street, there’s no law stating that you have to help the pup or report it.
The lack of law doesn’t necessarily mean that you should turn the other way if you see a dog on the street.
You want to be careful because you don’t want to scare the dog further. Or, maybe the dog is aggressive. However, whether the dog looks sickly or healthy, young or old, if you see a pup on the street, do your best to help out.
Their owners are worried sick and looking frantically for their furry friend.
So, if you happen to see a stray dog wandering the streets in Canada, be sure to do what you can to help reunite them with their family.
For example, you can take pictures and post them on social media. Next, you can catch the dog (if it’s safe) and bring them to the vet or a local animal shelter. Finally, you can call the local authorities to help catch the dog and bring them to a shelter.
Stray Dogs In Canada – More General Advice
Only try to catch or get near the dog if it’s safe to do so. For example, if the dog acts aggressively, such as growling, backing away, or barking at you, you don’t want to scare them further.
However, if you’re able to get near the dog, one of the first things you can do is check its collar for an ID tag. This will typically have the phone number of the dog’s owner. You can call them, and they can meet you where you are to pick up their dog.
However, if they don’t have a collar, they may or may not have a home. If the pup is friendly enough and allows you to capture them, bring them to a local vet or shelter.
The vet will be able to scan the dog for a microchip. If they have one, they can locate the owner. If the dog doesn’t have a microchip, then the dog can safely go to the shelter.
If that’s the case, the shelter and yourself can take pictures of the dog and head to social media. Hopefully, after spreading the word a bit, the owners will see their pup at the shelter and return them home.
On the other hand, if you can’t get close enough to the dog to capture them, you can take pictures and post about the doggo on social media right away.
You don’t want to scare the dog further, and you certainly don’t want to hurt it if the dog happens to be aggressive.
Finally, call the local authorities or animal control. They can come by and pick up the dog safely and bring them to an animal shelter where the pup will be safe.
Always Help A Stray Dog If You Can
In Canada, if you see a stray dog, do what you can to help them find their family or get into a shelter. It’s the safest place for them.
