The problem of stray animals in our country is a concern for many today, but there is a solution. It just requires financial investment. Stray dogs with ear tags are increasingly common on city streets. But not everyone understands what these tags mean.
Do tags of different colors differ?
The clips found on dogs vary. However, this distinction isn't intentional, as one might think, and it's easy to explain. Veterinary centers and volunteer organizations that capture and register stray animals purchase tags from different sources. Yellow clips are the most common, but green and red ones are also available. But they all serve the same function and are identical in every way except for their color.
What does it mean to have a stray dog with a colored tag in its ear?
The presence of such a tag in a stray dog's ear means it has been treated by a veterinarian. Previously, stray dogs faced a much more tragic fate—they were captured and destroyed to prevent their population from growing. Some were luckier, ending up in shelters. Now, city administrations, and more often, volunteer organizations, have begun to address this issue through humane methods.
That the dog was caught and registered
The shooting of stray animals is now prohibited. They are now captured and registered to avoid taking the same animal twice. On each tag, the center that carried out the work adds its own tag and the date the animal was captured. Each dog is assigned a unique identification number, which can later be used to track its fate, if necessary. All information is entered into a single database. In many countries, this practice has long existed, but there, these issues are addressed at the government level. In Russia, however, this is often done with funds raised by charities. The procedure is quite expensive.
That the dog was spayed
All captured animals are sterilized to prevent them from having offspring. This is done to reduce the number of stray animals. Each dog that undergoes the procedure loses interest in the opposite sex and lives out its life peacefully, leaving no such unfortunate offspring behind. Furthermore, it's important to note that after castration, dogs become less aggressive and do not attack other pets or people. They lead a measured life and feel quite content.
That the dog was vaccinated
In addition to neutering dogs, they are also vaccinated. Vaccinations against devastating diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, distemper, and others help prevent epidemics, as they are contagious. Rabies is a dangerous, incurable virus that is fatal to both the infected dog and any person bitten by it if the necessary measures are not taken promptly.
That the dog was treated for infections and parasites
At clinics, dogs are also treated for various infections and dewormed. Living outdoors, they become carriers of fleas, worms, mites, and other parasites. These parasites are often transferred from dogs to other pets during walks, which then require treatment. People are also at risk. This treatment helps alleviate this problem.
How to put ear tags in dogs
Some people think that having an ear clip inserted is painful for animals, as it requires piercing the ear. But this isn't true. The procedure is safe and painless. The piercing is done while the dog is still recovering from post-operative anesthesia. Wearing a tag is no more uncomfortable than wearing earrings for women. The only complication that sometimes occurs is suppuration. However, the piercing site, as well as the sutures, are treated to prevent infection. After about 10 days, the wounds heal, and the furry patient can be released.
After the dogs are treated, they are returned to their natural habitat. This method of preventing uncontrolled reproduction produces excellent results, as proven by years of practice in Western countries. Mass sterilization is the most humane way to deal with the huge number of stray animals on the streets.
