When to help an animal you encounter while traveling

The answer might seem obvious to well-intentioned animal lovers: you help them. Maybe you even adopt them and bring them home with you after your travels. It sounds like the most compassionate solution, but according to animal welfare experts, it’s not always that simple.

In many areas around the world—such as Latin America, India and eastern Europe—it’s common for cats and dogs to freely roam around neighborhoods. These animals (sometimes called community animals) are often looked after by locals who provide them with food and water.

“Not every free‑roaming animal actually needs to be rescued,” says Sofía Herra, Humane World senior program manager of cruelty and companion animals in Costa Rica. “In many communities, animals are part of the social fabric.”

Claudia Edwards, our campaign program director in Mexico, agrees. “Not all animals seen outdoors are homeless. In many Mexican communities it is common for dogs to roam during the day and return home at night.”

Keeping this context in mind can help prevent people from unintentionally doing more harm than good.

iStock.com/

Keeping pets and families together

Support pet equity

Pets and their families belong together. Stand with us today to increase access to affordable veterinary care, pet food and pet-inclusive housing.

Add Your Name

When to intervene

If you’re concerned about the health of a dog or cat you’ve encountered on vacation, first examine how the animal looks. Do they appear emaciated? Do they have wounds on their body? If the animal looks healthy, that is a sign they are being cared for by people in the community. Other signs of ownership are an ear-notch (a v-shaped or straight-lined cut on the ear, which could indicate that the animal is sterilized and vaccinated) or ear tags, collars, harnesses, or other type of clothing.

Next, ask shop owners, neighbors and other locals if they are familiar with the animal. These conversations will often reveal that the animal is regularly seen in that location and is already being cared for, Herra says. You can also look for reports of lost pets by calling local law enforcement, visiting online community pages, or scanning flyers placed at grocery stores, libraries and other community centers.

If the animal appears injured or sick, or people in the community are not familiar with them, try contacting local animal organizations or veterinary clinics to see if they can help. These places can scan animals for a microchip, a small chip inserted inside animals that has details about the animal’s owner.

Factors to consider before taking an animal home

If you have determined the animal likely doesn’t have someone looking after them and you want to adopt them, take time to think through how you will help the animal adjust to a very different lifestyle than they are used to. Also pay attention the animal’s behavior to see if they feel comfortable around people. If they are wary of people in an area they are familiar with, that is a good sign they will particularly struggle living confined in a house or apartment.

“Removing the animal from what they know and their social circle can be traumatic and cause more harm than good,” says Danielle Bays, senior program manager of cat protection at Humane World.

Next, people should take the animal to a local veterinary clinic to receive routine care such as vaccinations. People will likely need detailed veterinary records anyways if they are traveling with the animal, particularly if they are crossing country borders. Make sure to research what requirements the country, or countries, you are bringing the animal to mandate upon arrival.

Once someone is home with the animal, they should expect a long adjustment period. Animals may not be house-trained and may be fearful, anxious and stressed. The animal may also try to escape the home or yard if they are not used to being confined or walked on a leash, says Bays.

Consider consulting with an animal behavioralist for guidance on helping your pet acclimate to an indoor lifestyle. Ultimately, the decision of how—or if—to intervene is not always easy. “I don't think that one single rule applies to every situation,” Herra says. “Thoughtful observation, community engagement and context‑specific judgment are what help travelers make ethical, informed decisions that truly serve the animal’s best interests.”

If you want to help street animals you see on your travels, another option is to donate to local organizations in the area that are helping animals.