← Levi's Pack Safety

Principle two

Always act in the best interest of the dog first.

Community dogs are not pets. Read the room before you reach in. When in doubt — food and water at a distance is still a real act of care.

What to feed a dog you meet

$

Plain cooked rice + boiled chicken

Gentle on the stomach. No salt, no spices, no bones.

$

Plain boiled eggs

High protein. Cool before offering. No shells.

$

Plain bread (small amount)

Not nutritious but safe in a pinch.

$$

Canned tuna in water (rinsed)

Rinse the brine. Only occasionally — too much mercury otherwise.

$$

Plain yogurt (small spoon)

Probiotics, but skip if the dog seems lactose-sensitive.

$$

Sardines in water

Cheap, oily, dogs love them. Skip if oil/salt added.

$$$

Dry kibble (any brand)

Best balanced option. Carry a small bag on walks.

$$$

Wet dog food pouches

Hydrating + tasty. Tear and leave at a distance if unsure.

Cost tier — $ low / $$ mid / $$$ best

Never feed these

  • Chocolate

    Toxic — even small amounts can kill.

  • Grapes & raisins

    Cause sudden kidney failure.

  • Onions & garlic

    Damage red blood cells. Avoid all forms.

  • Xylitol (sugar-free gum/candy)

    Causes fatal low blood sugar.

  • Cooked bones

    Splinter and cause internal injury.

  • Macadamia nuts

    Toxic — vomiting, weakness, tremors.

  • Alcohol & raw dough

    Ferments in the stomach. Dangerous.

  • Heavily salted / spiced food

    Salt poisoning, pancreatitis.

  • Avocado pit & skin

    Contains persin — choking + toxicity.

How to read a dog

Friendly / open

  • ·Loose, wiggly body
  • ·Soft eyes, blinking
  • ·Tail wagging at mid-height with hips
  • ·Open mouth, relaxed tongue

What to do: Safe to approach slowly. Crouch sideways, offer a closed hand low.

Anxious / unsure

  • ·Tail tucked or low slow wag
  • ·Ears back, lip licking, yawning
  • ·Turning head away, whale eye (whites showing)
  • ·Frozen posture

What to do: Stop moving. Don't make eye contact. Leave food at a distance and back away.

Aggressive / warning

  • ·Stiff body, weight forward
  • ·Hard stare, raised hackles
  • ·Lifted lip, low growl, bared teeth
  • ·Sharp, high tail held still

What to do: Do NOT approach. Avoid eye contact, turn sideways, walk away calmly. Mark the dog in the app.

Where are you helping?

Laws, diseases, and customs vary by country. Get the right numbers and a quick safety brief.

or pick

Country brief

🌍 General guidance

Proceed with care

We don't have a country-specific guide yet. Default to caution: feed at a distance, never approach a dog you don't know, and find a local rescue NGO before transporting any animal.

Call for help

Diseases to know

  • Rabies

    high risk

    Assume present anywhere outside North America/Western Europe/Oceania. Any bite — wash 15 min with soap, get PEP within 24h.

  • Parasites

    high risk

    Ticks, fleas, mange. Wear long sleeves, wash after contact.

Local customs

  • Watch how locals treat strays before you act publicly.

Laws to respect

  • In many countries it's illegal to remove a tagged community dog. Check with a local NGO first.

Guidance is community-curated. Always confirm with a local rescue before relying on this in an emergency.

First-aid quick reference

  • If a dog was hit by a car

    Don't move them unless traffic is a danger. Cover with a jacket, call a vet, send your live location.

  • Open wound / heavy bleeding

    Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth. Get to a vet within the hour.

  • Heatstroke

    Move to shade. Wet paws and belly with cool (not ice) water. Vet immediately.

  • Suspected poisoning

    Bring whatever they ate. Call a vet before doing anything else.

See ways to volunteer →