Stock Your Car for Animal Emergencies

Humans with cars
December Activism Tip:
Stock Your Car for Animal Emergencies

At one time or another, everyone has seen a dog by the roadside.
Your heart may be in your mouth, and you might be in a hurry, but
please stop, throw your itinerary out the window, and try to help
before that dog becomes another roadside tragedy.

Many normally friendly dogs become fearful when they are lost, so
it's important to be cautious, careful, and calm. Position yourself
between the dog and traffic. Turn off the car, close the door
quietly, move slowly, stay low to the ground, speak softly, and
avoid making eye contact with the dog. It's helpful to carry dog
treats or cans of cat food in your car to use as lures. If the dog
runs, stop and kneel down, or walk in the opposite direction.Be
patient it may be a while for the animal to muster up the courage to
come near you. Try to herd the dog toward a residential area,
ideally into a fenced yard, where you can close the gate and prevent
escape.

If you are near a pay phone or have a cell phone, call the humane
society, animal control, or police and ask for help. Be persistent
and insist that they provide assistance.

If the animal is injured, stop the car, put on the flashers, and set
out flares. Wrap gauze or a necktie around the animal's muzzle to
prevent biting (injured animals sometimes bite out of fear), but be
careful not to impede their breathing. Or if the animal is small,
wrap him or her in a towel before you attempt to transport the
animal to a veterinarian. It's important to get all animals, even
those who appear to be dead, out of the roadway; they may be alive
but unconscious. (Gently touch the edge of the eye. If it twitches,
the animal is alive.) Take injured animals to a vet immediately.

You can be better prepared to help an injured or stray animal by
keeping a prepared kit in your trunk, which should contain the
following items:

.. Collapsible cardboard cat carrier
.. Muzzle (some injured dogs will bite when they are in pain)
.. Leash
.. Blanket or towel
.. Bottled water
.. Treats
.. Dish
.. Cans of cat food with pop-tops
.. List of emergency phone numbers

A little preparation can help you save the life of a lost or
abandoned animal. Thanks for taking action for animals!

Yours sincerely,
Megan Hartman
Activist Liaison
MeganH@peta.org
757-622-7382, ext. 8256

This email was sent by:PETA
501 Front St Norfolk, VA, 23510, United States

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Dec. 9, 2004