There's a good chance you will eventually come across a dog that appears to be lost or homeless. As a dog-lover, your first instinct will probably be to help the pooch. But what do you do when you see a dog that might be a stray? Before you take action, remember these important safety precautions.
Dogs respond to our emotions and behavior, so it’s important to stay calm. This will likely help calm the dog you’ve found and put you in a good position to help them.
Never assume a stray dog you don’t know will be comfortable with you just because you know you’re a safe human and wouldn’t do anything to harm them. Just stay calm and do what you can to help them from whatever distance keeps them as calm as possible.
A lost-looking dog strolling the streets of your town may be ill, confused, scared or hurt. They may also have been abused. Any of this can make the dog’s behavior unpredictable.
If you find a lost dog while walking your own, or near an area where your dog is playing, keep your dog away from the one you don’t know. Either dog may become frightened or aggressive in the unusual situation, which can add to emotional distress.
If you make sudden or fast movements, you may frighten the dog (who is probably already a little stressed out). A frightened dog is much more likely to act out or bolt away, putting that dog and others at unnecessary risk. Try not to run or chase the dog, since they may see that as a threat or a game and decide to run away from you. Calmly approaching the dog and letting them come to your calls is a better plan.
If the dog has been away from their home, it may have been some time since they had food or water. If the dog is hesitant or suspicious about your good intentions, offering a dog treat may help you earn their trust. Keep in mind that dogs can have food allergies or sensitivities just like humans, so try to stick to treats designed specifically for dogs.
Be sure to offer food or water from a safe distance, and never from your hand. Put the offering on the ground and let them come on their own if they choose.
If the dog is willing to go with you, give them a secure area to rest where they feel safe and comfortable away from any pets, children or loud noises. They’ve probably been through a lot, and if they trust you enough to follow your lead, encourage them by letting them relax while you follow up with phone calls on their behalf.
If the dog has a collar and tags, there's a good chance they’re simply a lost pet, rather than a dog that’s used to life on their own. A family pet that’s gotten lost will likely have some training and may be more accustomed to being around people.
If the dog is willing to come to you and fully at ease, you may have the opportunity to attach a leash to their collar or check their tags, which should have contact information to help you reach their family.
Often checking the tags means you’ll be able to call the dog’s favorite human and reunite them directly. But there are some scenarios, like finding an injured or unwell dog, that might prompt you to call the experts first.
If a stray dog doesn’t come to your calls, or doesn’t appear to have a collar with tags, it is often best to call the experts — your local police or animal control office. You could also reach out to local animal shelters, or an animal hospital if the dog seems like they might need veterinary care. Organizations like these are experienced with helping homeless and lost dogs. Thanks to their training, they can quickly and safely guide you through the situation.
Things to tell them when you call:
Contacting the authorities is also a good first step if you are concerned the animal may have been harmed or neglected. They can help you navigate how best to help the dog you’ve found.
Once you’ve reported the lost dog to experts, work with them on how best to follow up. If the lost dog doesn’t have tags or the contact information on them is a dead end, you can do more to help.
We all want to save the day and make sure dogs in our care find their families, but lost dogs need you to be careful when a human turns up to take them home. If the lost dog is staying with you while you help search for the owner, people will reach out to you if they want to claim the dog is theirs. Here are a few ways to be sure you’ve got the right human for the dog you’ve found:
If you have any doubts at all, even small ones, it’s best not to hand over the dog. Let them know that the authorities will need to confirm that the dog is theirs before you can hand it over.
This is a legal question, and as always, legal questions depend on local laws and the details of your unique situation. Talk to the authorities you’ve been working with to find the dog’s home. Let them know that if the search isn’t successful, you’re interested in adopting the dog. They’ll be able to give you advice and information about adopting stray dogs in general, and the lost dog you’ve found in particular.
As a dog-lover, you know it’s a good idea to be prepared for canine emergencies. Here are a few things you can do now to prepare for finding a lost dog in the future:
Dogs love their people, so a lost dog needs special care and follow-up from you in order to find their family. If your dog got lost, you’d want the person who found them to be as kind and patient as possible and guide them back to you. When you find a lost dog, you have the chance to help them, and plenty of local resources can help you! Don’t be shy to ask for support. You might be surprised by how many people want to help the dog you’ve found find their way home again!