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By Rachael O'Connor
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A woman has gone viral after pleading for people to show kindness to stray dogs, as experts urged animal lovers to also keep their own safety in mind.
The woman, who posts to TikTok under the username @cevytot, gained millions of views and sparked a major conversation when she recorded herself cuddling a street dog, and urging others to do the same.
In a video shared on January 21 with over 2 million views, a stray dog can be seen lying on the woman's lap, getting as close as possible as she scratches his body and behind his ears.
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The dog, who appears to be covered in dirt or dust, is clearly loving the attention, and repeatedly turns his head and moves his paws, before looking into her eyes.
She shared the video along with a message, telling followers: "It's okay to pet them and then just wash your hands afterwards, they only experience it once."
Another video shared just a day later shows the woman doing the same thing with another stray dog suffering from a skin condition. That dog has the same reaction, loving the attention and getting closer to get more pats and affection, despite its skin looking raw and painful.
On that clip, the woman wrote simply: "Look how happy she is."
Her original video gained almost half a million likes, as animal lovers flooded the comments, with one writing: "They used to be someone's baby."
Others wanted to show strays love but were concerned about their health, as one wrote: "I would love to pet them and give them love.. but what if they bite you?"
"I love dogs, But I'm scared of rabies," another said, as another shared: "How I wish I could adopt all the strays and give them the love that they deserve."
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Newsweek spoke to Shanina Knighton, PhD, a research associate professor at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, who called @cevytot's video a "sweet and compassionate moment."
However, she warned that "petting stray dogs, while kind, poses health risks."
Strays can carry bacteria, parasites and diseases including rabies, and their fur "may also harbor toxins from unsanitary environments. Even minor cuts on your hands increase the risk of infection."
She stated that even therapy dogs in hospitals "follow strict protocols to prevent infections. Strays don't have this care, so precautions are important."
"Kindness is important and I love animals, but so is health," she said. "Always prioritize hygiene and safety when interacting with stray animals."
Responding to the video itself, she called for kindness towards animals to help ensure the health of both the dog and the human.
"Helping stray dogs by ensuring they are bathed and cared for not only improves their health, but also makes these moments of connection even safer and more meaningful for everyone involved," she said.
Dr. Nita Vasudevan, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, agreed petting a stray can be a "heartwarming act," but warned there are "important health and safety considerations to keep in mind."
"While washing your hands thoroughly after contact can remove many surface germs, it doesn't eliminate all potential risks," she said, pointing out the same zoonotic diseases including ringworm and leptospirosis, which can be "transmitted through bites, scratches, or even indirect contact."
"Bacterial infections like salmonella or Campylobacter may be present in a dog's fur, mouth, or fecal residues."
She also warned to "always assess the dog's behavior," as a fearful or aggressive dog could bite or scratch, increasing a risk of exposure to infection.
"Even if you plan to wash your hands, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth beforehand could introduce harmful pathogens," Vasudevan said.
"Use hand sanitizer immediately if soap and water aren't available, though this may not be enough for certain pathogens. Change clothes if you've had prolonged contact, as some parasites or bacteria could cling to fabric. Avoid contact with open wounds or cuts—even a small scratch or abrasion can serve as an entry point for bacteria."
"If you're in an area with high rates of rabies or other endemic diseases, it's best to admire stray dogs from a distance rather than engage in direct contact," she advised.
"If you do choose to pet them, ensure proper hygiene afterward and be mindful of potential risks beyond what handwashing alone can mitigate."
Newsweek has contacted @cevytot on TikTok for comment on this video.
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