What To Do If You Find a Lost Dog
Dogs get lost away from their homes and hopefully someone ends up finding them before they are injured or possibly pass away. Therefore, it is important for you to know what to do if you find a lost dog. In this article, we will talk about what to do if you find a lost dog and give you some tips on how to care for them as well.
The first thing that will happen is the encounter with the lost dog. It is a good idea to approach the animal in a calm and slow manner talking to them with the calmest voice that you have. The last thing you want to do is scare them away or view you as a threat. This may become dangerous! Some dogs will come up to you quite easily and it may take more time with others. This can be due to things like anxiety and stress.
If you meet a dog that is aggressive, it is important to not make them feel threatened or concerned. Help them by kneeling to show that you are not extremely dominant to them. This will help them feel more comfortable. If the dog attacks you, be sure to contact the local animal control office to help remedy the situation.
Once you get the dog to a calm state of mind, check their collar to see if they have a visible ID tag. Most of the time, the ID tag should include the name of the pet and hopefully the phone number of their owner. If you notice a number, call it immediately! Then you can help get the dog to its owner. There may be times where the dog does not have tags. In this case, you should take the dog to the local animal shelter to be scanned for a microchip which could lead you right to the owner.
Keep in mind that animal shelters may look after the dog until the owner arrives and in other situations, the dog may need to stay with you until they are found. No matter what if the dog is in your care, they will have both shelter and safety compared to being lost in the streets. The best thing that you can do is find them a spot where they won’t do much damage no matter what goes on throughout the night. Ensure that food and water are provided. Unfortunately, you may not know how long they have been lost so they can be very hungry and thirsty. Giving the dog a comfortable place to sleep will put them at ease as well.
Taking care of a lost dog is one of the best things that you can do. You have no idea how long they have been roaming the streets just to survive. If you are unable to care for them personally, the animal shelter will take the next step to ensure that they are safe!
