What Are Stray Animals?

Stray animals are everywhere around us and in every part of the world.

The exciting thing about these animals is that not all animals you see around you are strays.

So, you may want to ask how to tell the difference between strays and other animals.

In this article, we will be telling you what stray animals are, things to know about a stray, and things to know if you would like to adopt one.

What Are Stray Animals?

Stray animals are domestic animals that roam the streets freely and fend for themselves without human assistance.

You must have heard about a stray dog or cat, but you may never hear about a stray pigeon. Have you ever wondered why?

Cats and dogs are the two most adopted animals worldwide, so people are used to having them indoors with an owner. However, there is a difference between a stray cat or dog and an outdoor cat or dog.

What is the Difference Between a Stray Animal and an Outdoor Animal?

Outdoor animals are those critters with owners who prefer staying outdoors rather than in the house. The reason why a cat or dog owner may want their animal friend to stay outdoors varies from person to person.

Some may prefer outdoor pets for hygiene; others may prefer them for security. However, these outdoor pets do not stray far from home and are fed and cared for by their owners.

Stray animals, on the other hand, do not have any human caring for them or housing them. They live and feed on the streets and may be adopted by a lucky human.

Often, strays may die without getting a home or in an animal shelter when spotted by animal control.

Many animals end up as strays because they were abandoned by their owners or were excess kittens or puppies from multiple births.

Sometimes, pets that go missing and have no identifications also end up as strays.

Facts About Stray Animals

1. It has been found that only one out of every 10 puppies will get a loving or permanent home.
2. The major reason why animals end up in shelters is that owners give them up or they are found on the street by animal control.
3. Every year, approximately 2.7 million cats and dogs are killed because the available shelters are too full, and the homes open to adopting animals aren’t enough. You can act as a publicist for your local shelter if you want to help stray animals find homes.
4. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs, and 3.4 million are cats.
5. According to details made available by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), not more than 15 to 20% of dogs and 2% of kittens are returned to their owners.
6. 25% of dogs that end up in local shelters are purebred.
7. About twice as many animals end up in shelters as strays compared to the number of animals relinquished by their human owners.
8. It is not possible to determine the number of stray dogs and cats that live in the United States of America. The current estimate for cats alone ranges as high as 70 million.
9. Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been neutered or spayed.
10. Overpopulation, as a result of owners letting their pets deliberately or accidentally reproduce, sees millions of these “unwanted” animals killed every year.

What Should I Know if I Want to Adopt a Stray?

If you have found a stray animal and decided to give it a home, you must know what you have chosen to do is a noble act.

Many strays are pets that have been loved and cared for before but were not properly kept indoors or provided with proper identification.

If you want to take such an animal into your household, you must be financially and mentally ready to care for it as you should.

Caring for a pet doesn’t come cheap; you must feed them and take responsibility for their health and other needs. It is more like caring for a child of your own.

However, pick an animal from the streets and take it to your home. It is not safe for you and other members of your family. Some stray animals may have ticks and infections that need urgent attention.

The first step to caring for a stray you want to adopt is to take it to a vet for a proper examination. Your chosen vet should conduct a thorough examination to determine your new pet’s health status and begin treatment immediately if required.

Also, if you do not have the money to care for this animal, it is best to take it straight to a local shelter.

If you have a male and female of your chosen pet and do not want so much reproduction, ensure that you have the animal sprayed immediately.

Once you have done everything the vet requires, you can set up a comfortable home for your new pet. You may shop for pet toys and other supplies to make the animals stay comfortable in your home. If you can create a separate living area within your home for your pet, you can do so and keep all their toys and supplies there.

According to data made available by the Humane Society, there are around 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the United States of America and as many as 10,000 rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in North America.

So, there you have it. Now that you know what stray animals are, you also understand why they are not undeserving of your love. Let us know what you think about them in the comment section.