Terminologies

• Animal abuse - Hurting, poisoning, starving, tying (constantly), beating, raping, torturing, etc. In a nutshell, causing an animal distress, discomfort or pain.

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• Active Rescuer- Someone who is a “first responder” or “foot solider” in the case of rescuing animals.

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• Donor – An animal who is donating blood (or as applicable) to an another animal in need.

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• Feeder - A colony animal caretaker who feeds food.

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• In patient - An animal who is admitted to a hospital.

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• Neutering - The term neutering is usually reserved for male dogs. 

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• Passive rescuer - Someone who remotely supports a rescue. Could be via email, phone, text or through some contribution or guidance.

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• Post op care - Treatment after discharge / surgery to provide medication and food.

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• Reporter - In stray / community animal welfare terms, a reporter is someone who is the first one to report the issue to a person of assistance (An NGO, a hospital or a volunteer.

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• Rescuer - A rescuer is a volunteer who rescues a life (in this case, an animal) from / for diseases, treatment, accident management, healthcare management, harm or danger.

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• Release - Simply put, Discharge after treatment or surgery.

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• Sterilization - Sterilization is a surgical procedure in which a part of an animals reproductive organ is removed to permanently stop the animal from reproducing.

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• Spaying- The term spaying is usually reserved for female dogs.

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• Stray / Colony / community animal caretaker - Anyone who voluntarily cares for community animals such as feeding, facilitating sterilization, vaccination and healthcare / treatment requirements.

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• Spot treatment - An activity of treating animals on the road by providing oral or topical medication under the guidance of a professional.

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• Outpatient - An animal who is treated but not admitted.

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Let's speak the same language

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Word – IT

Instead: Species of the animal (if you don’t know the name or gender)

Why: An animal is a living being. Not a thing . 

 

Word – OWNER

Instead: Parent, caretaker, feeder, nurse, rescuer, foster parent / foster home

Why: We own things, not lives .

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Word- SHELTER 

Instead: Trauma / Treatment center

Why: NGO’s are rescue centers to treat animals and then discharge them. They are equipped with rescuers, catchers, doctors, paravets, assisting staff and medical equipment’s. These centers are NOT a permanent home for stray / community dogs (unless in dire or extreme circumstances). The street is their home. The caretakers and community are their family to tend to their needs. To ensure there is balance between survival and sustenance, there are ABC, AR and colony animal caretaker guidelines and laws in place. In support of NGO’s to help animals in a timely and methodical fashion, our concept of a rescue center that we term as a “shelter” needs to shift. Hence a change in reference as “trauma center” is recommended. Note: A shelter home is a different concept and set up altogether, which, in some cases may be applicable. The recommended change in reference in this context is purely applicable to trauma / treatment centers that are termed as “shelters”

 

WORD: STRAY DOG / ANIMAL

Instead: Community Dog / animal / Streetie
Why: The dictionary definition of a “Stray animal” is - An animal (such as a cat or dog) that is lost or has no home. In the case of these animals who are found living on the roads, the street is THEIR HOME. They find and develop a sense of belonging to their territories. They make human and animal families and grow old with them. Hence, they don’t identify with the term “Stray”. 

 

 

 

Identifications you must know

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Sterilized dog - Ears Notched or clipped.

Vaccinated dog - Vaccination is done through the sterilization process. So a notched ear indicates the dog is vaccinated. During periodic vaccinations, the dog will be marked with a green, yellow or red paint to indicate that vaccination is up to date. 

A female dog who has just littered- Enlarged nipples or teats are extremely common in mother dogs. Look for nipples that are bigger than those found on a dog who hasn't had puppies. And if the dog recently gave birth, she might even still be lactating or leaking milk. Loose-ish belly skin is another trait shared by many dogs who had puppies. (Source: Google)