I often get calls from frantic people wondering who they can call to help a dog in trouble. They ask if there is a Veterinarian who handles this or is it Animal Control or the Humane Association or some Rescue Group?I’ll be doing detailed articles on each of these types of groups and their functions and missions in the upcoming months, but in the meantime I will give the short answer - No.

There is no one group who is charged with helping animals in need. You are on your own. Except, you’ve got me, so don’t panic. There are times when the groups mentioned above can be of help. It might be nice if there were some magical agency that would come and take every mistreated dog to a better home. There is no such magical agency though and there are not enough homes for all the dogs out there. If they do take one away from an owner what’s to stop that owner from just getting a new dog?

Most of the time you are on your own so here are some tips for helping out animals in need.

If you know of a mistreated pet, find a way to help and reeducate their owner. And, (this is the important part) you have to give the owner a way to "save face" while you are helping. In other words, you don’t want them to feel bad, you just want them to treat their dog better. Try to make it seem like they are doing you a favor.

~So if their dog doesn’t have a dog house, buy one for the dog. When you approach the owner say "We got this for my mom’s dog but she can’t use it and we thought maybe you could, we don’t know what else to do with it."

~If the dog has a dog house but it’s empty, buy a bale of hay and ask the owner if they could use it in their doghouse. Tell them you had one left over.

~If the dog is underfed, buy food. Tell the owners it was free with a purchase.

~If the dog doesn’t have any toys buy it some and tell the owner your dogs won’t play with them and maybe their dog would like them.

~If the dog is tied out all day ask the owner if it can come over and play in your fenced yard with your dog (if the neighbor dog and your dog are both friendly). Tell the owner you’re hoping playing all day will tire your dog out.

~If the owner’s dog is tied up all day and you don’t have a dog, ask the owner if you can take their dog for a walk. Say you want to start walking but would feel safer with a dog with you.

When I am asked "Who is responsible?" I think of it from a dog’s point of view and my answer is… all of us.