Top 10 Tips to get your Locality Dogs & Cats Sterilized on Time

 STRAW, in collaboration with Jeevashram, arranged for the pick-up, sterilization and vaccination of 6 dogs in Sector D2, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

With mating season around the corner, sterilization, neutering and Animal Birth Control take high priority for all of us who look after strays. Not only does sterilization control the population of stray dogs and cats, but also helps in reducing aggression and risk of diseases in these animals. We must all make the effort of contacting Animal NGOs or the Municipal Corporation of our cities and arrange for sterilization of our community dogs and cats.

In some cases animal welfare NGOs are not able to send their animal ambulances to pick up the strays for a few days, sometimes even weeks, since they are busy rescuing accident cases, severely ill or maimed animals. The vehicles are not always available, and sometimes the NGOs are overflowing with too many sick animals to be able to admit more. For this reason, it is better to do the following:

1. Don’t delay sterilization till mating season is around the corner.
2. If possible, try to take the animals to the NGO yourself, rather than waiting for them.
3. If that is not an option then request and remind the NGO for the ambulance patiently, as they are all making their best effort.
4. Take the help of everyone who feeds the animals in the area. They will be able to keep the animals calmer and also grab hold of them more comfortably and without fear.
5. Once you have confirmed that the animal ambulance is on the way, try to keep the animals inside a closed compound like your verandah or a small park where you can watch over them. Animals usually smell the ambulances from a distance and it makes them flee in the opposite direction, making the entire process futile.
6. Dogs and cats can be sterilized after they are 6-8 months old.
7. When a female is on heat, avoid sending her for sterilization as that can increase risks during surgery.
8. The animals are always dropped back to the area they were picked up from so ensure that the address given is precise and correct.
9. The animals are returned 3-5 days after their surgeries so be on the lookout and call/visit the NGOs for updates while the animals are with them.
10. Be watchful of their stitches, especially in the monsoon, just to make sure they don’t catch any infection. If something looks wrong, consult a vet and clean with Betadine in the meantime.