What to do if you find a dog?

We all often meet dogs without owners on the street. So you, on a walk, noticed a dog that you had not seen before. Take a closer look at her – does she obviously live on the street or does she have an owner?

How to help a dog?

If the dog has a collar, the dog is most likely a domestic dog. Look around – is there an owner nearby? Perhaps the owner decided to walk to the store while his pet is doing his business. Try to call the dog to you – pets are most often accustomed to commands and trust people. If the dog approaches you and does not show aggression, examine its neck. An address tag with the owner’s contacts can be attached to the collar. If you are lucky and have an address book, call the owner and report the find. If there is no address tag, try to check if the animal has a chip or brand. Specialists of veterinary clinics or some pet salons and pet stores will help you with this.

A dog can also be homeless but need help. The animal may be injured, in which case the dog will whine and lick the wound. Be careful if you decide to take an injured animal to a veterinary clinic. Dogs are pack animals, and when you try to take a dog in your arms, its brethren can come to its aid.

Health problems

Domestic dogs are most often vaccinated and treated for internal and external parasites. But if the animal has been outside for a long time, it may be sick. In summer, dogs are subject to tick and flea bites. Before you put your dog in the car, put some rags or diapers on the seats, which can be purchased at any pet store. 

If you decide to help the animal in any case, keep in mind that it will need to be shown to a veterinarian and the necessary tests done. Ask your veterinarian to check if the dog is microchipped or branded. Until test results are available, place the animal in quarantine. Quarantine can be a separate room or a room where small children and other pets do not have access.

Owner Search

Most likely, you will have to look for the owners of the dog yourself. Ask your veterinarian to post a photo of the animal with your contact details on the information desk at the clinic.

If the dog is lost and is being sought, the owners have most likely posted a missing person ad on special social media communities. Check out similar groups in your area or county. If there is nothing similar, place your own announcement about the find. It must contain a high-quality color photograph of the dog or video. Be sure to include the area where you found the animal and your contact details. Write about the dog’s special features – perhaps it has a remarkable color, an original collar, or eyes of different colors.

Unfortunately, very often dog owners let their pets go on their own, which is very dangerous. In a state of stress, the animal can get lost and go to a completely different area. Place ads in areas bordering yours. It is best to hang photos where there are the most people – at bus stops, at the entrances to shops and social services.

Overexposure

If you do not have the opportunity to place the found animal at home, you can temporarily give the dog for overexposure. Overexposure is the placement of animals in specialized zoo hotels or apartments, where they are provided with full care. Dogs in such places are fed, walked, sheared and, if necessary, treated. The service of overexposure is paid. In the absence of the ability to pay for the dog’s stay in a hotel, try to find a person who is ready to take her at least for a while.

It often happens that while you are looking for a new home for an animal, you are already getting used to it and cannot come to terms with the idea that it needs to be given to someone. What if you keep your dog? If you are ready to take on such responsibility, then congratulations on your new family member!