Animals

Feeding Stray Dogs in low-income Areas

Step 1 – Select your Target Area(s)

  • Decide on one or multiple target areas where you find enough dogs, keep in mind that larger areas require more time for distribution

Step 2 – Select the Number and Type of Food you want to feed the dogs

  • Dry food are a good choice, making sure you can bring plenty
  • Check the pricing per kilo, if you buy larger amounts you might can buy wholesale or from the factory directly. Decide on a number that you feel comfortable to afford.
  • Consider whether you want to give the dogs dry food or wet food and if you can bring this easily. (larger numbers can sum up to a higher total weight very fast)

Step 3 – Plan a Setup and Flow of Feeding

  • There are two parts of the distribution: Transportation and Handover
  • Transportation: Do you want to use a vehicle? Can you do it alone or do you need help? Can you load everything at once or need to go back inbetween to load more items? Do you for example need cooling so the food won’t spoil?
  • Handover: Will it be safe to get near that dog? Does it look aggressive? Or is it okay to approach the stray?
  • In feeding stray dogs, it’s easier to do it in the morning.
  • If you have to record the handover, don’t hold the camera near towards the animals. Make sure you keep a safe distance when feeding animals as they will keep their guard up when eating.

Step 4 – Organize help for Feeding if necessary

  • Especially when feeding many dogs, you might need a vehicle and potentially even a driver or rider or a bystander that helps you while you feed the stray
  • Make sure the vehicle is able to support the total size and weight
  • Themed vehicles, costumes etc. can be used but are more optional as the recipients might not all notice them

Step 5 – Do the Distribution

  • If your plan was detailed enough, most will work as planned
  • Prepare some more time than you think for unexpected situations (traffic, not finding enough recipients right away, etc.)
  • Be flexible in case something goes wrong to at least make the best out of it for yourself and the recipients. It’s the thought that counts and many people will appreciate that already.
  • Don’t set your expectations for reactions too high. Dogs can be unpredictable but you’ll see a gist of their happiness through their body language.