Stray Animals Abroad

Everyone has a different opinion about stray dogs when traveling abroad. Some people pet them and some stay far away. It can also depend on the cleanliness of the country you go to. As a general rule of thumb, you can take pictures and watch the dogs from a distance, but you do not want to risk getting bit or having an incident when on vacation or in another country.

In comparison to the Midwest, many countries worldwide have more stray dogs. It is just a part of the lifestyle in these places.

First Arriving

In new Delhi, you can find dogs right as you leave the airport. I was not expecting to see stray animals like this right as I got to the country. Take this into consideration wherever you travel if you plan on taking any pets with you.

At the shops 

If you are going anywhere that sells food, then you are more likely to encounter stray dogs. These areas are normally busier, so they seem more stressful for the dogs. Remember that you are a tourist in their territory, so don't overwhelm them and consider leaving them water or food from a distance since it might not be easily accessible for them.

At historical sites

My favorite part about visiting any outdoors landmark was seeing the dogs in the grass. At Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, you can see a number of golden dogs that lay in the grass as you enter almost as if they are protecting the site. They also play and run around in the grass even in the rain. 

Downtown

In Downtown Chennai, it was nice to see that a lot of shop owners look out for the local dogs and they seem to claim one or two to keep an eye on. Many people often overlook these dogs, and most of them are sweet animals and just want someone to pet them or give them attention. 

Cats of Rome

You can't forget about the Roman cats. Colonia Felina di Torre Argentina may be where Julius Caesar was murdered, but it is also home to a number of cats in Rome. Take a minute to look inside or around, and it might remind you of home if you are homesick and have a cat or animal that you are missing. Volunteers do care for these cats, but they are still free to roam around in Rome.