How To Help Strays Animals During Monsoon?

Monsoon is the season of colorful umbrellas and is linked with a happy-go-lucky feeling. Lucky ones, like most of us, have a roof over our heads. However, India has millions of street dogs who have no option but to get doused in the rain, thus usually falling sick and catching infectious diseases like tick fever.

Moreover, it becomes challenging for people to go out and feed these dogs in the monsoon season. So it must be pondered upon how we can help these innocent creatures and take care of every street dog around us. Particularly during the monsoon season in India, stray animals suffer the most due to the lack of a permanent roof.

Here are some ways we can help strays during the monsoon:

#1 Build a Shelter:

You can make wooden huts/shelters for them or place some blankets on elevated areas that can keep them dry and protected from the cold. Unfortunately, not everyone has the amenity of space, and most people in Indian cities live in crowded areas. If you cannot afford to let a street animal inside, you can do your bit by making a temporary shelter instead. Cardboard boxes, rubber tires, and plastic items can be used to make such shelters in your nearby areas.

Make sure that the area you choose is safe and hygienic for the animals. Although these are not permanent solutions, they can offer them temporary relief for the time being.

 

#2 Provide them with food:

During heavy rains, food becomes scarce for strays as everything gets washed away or flooded. Therefore, try to feed strays whenever possible. Moreover, provide a bowl of clean drinking water so that the animals do not drink the rainwater that would make them sick. Care for them:

The number of stomach and skin issues in strays increases as they are exposed to a lot of dirt during the monsoon. We can care for them by deworming them and assisting them in getting rid of fleas and ticks. Some home remedies to prevent ticks are rubbing the skin with a fresh paste of neem leaves or applying neem oil. Some even suggest spraying tobacco-infused water on the areas where ticks cling.

Monsoon is when several insects such as ticks thrive. They are mainly found on strays, who roam around on muddy roads and are seen searching for food in unhygienic places and in the garbage. Moreover, you can use an anti-tick powder and apply it to their skin should you find ticks. Please get in touch with a vet or animal organization to learn more about powders and medicated sprays.

#3 Check Under your Vehicles

Before heading out, double-check for any little furry friend hiding and taking shelter under your vehicle. Cats are known to take shelter in small spaces, so always look at your car’s exhaust pipes and the hood. Moreover, check under your car and wait for a minimum of 30 seconds before starting your car when parked.

#4 A Warm Meal

Giving strays a few belly rubs and shelter isn’t enough. You can head out to feed street dogs as soon as it stops raining or keep the food near your temporary shelters, below balconies, or any dry places.

You can purchase food from a pet store or resort to boiled foods like rice, meat, and eggs if you wish. Always give a bowl containing clean, fresh water and food. Strays can safely drink water from the rain, which is collected in puddles is a big misconception people might have. One big warm meal after a heavy rainfall goes a long way!

#5 Contact animal experts

When you come across a stray, it is wise to check for any injuries they might have. Mainly in rains, when several water-borne infections are present, a wounded stray might suffer from a disease or have maggots infesting their injuries. If you find a wet animal, a towel dries them first. There is a high possibility you may find the stray shivering from cold. It is advised you contact a vet instantly or animal experts and take the necessary measures to help them.

Monsoons aren’t joyful for dogs on the street, who may find themselves abandoned and without food for many days. With these few tips, we hope you start a journey and provide strays comfort and a happy monsoon!