You’re driving down the road and all of a sudden a puppy appears in front of your car. You slam on the brakes and evaluate the situation. What do you do now?
First, realize that not all dogs running loose are the result of irresponsible pet owners. A very responsible and loving owner could frantically be searching for their beloved puppy. It is your responsibility to try to get the innocent dog back to its home.
It is very important to realize that frightened or hurt dogs can act unpredictably. A dog with a wonderful disposition may still bite you if he or she feels threatened or is in pain. Approach the puppy cautiously so that you do not end up chasing it back out into traffic.
If the dog is growling and appears to be vicious, the best thing you can do is to call your local animal control officer. If you can’t find a telephone number, call your municipal office. They generally have this information.
If you are able to touch and pet the dog, do so with caution. A small bite can still mean a painful and expensive regiment of rabies shots. Speak calmly and reassuringly to the puppy. Try enticing the animal with food if you happen to have some with you.
Once you have made contact with the puppy, offer food and water and prepare to try to locate the owner. Restrain the puppy so that he or she does not get away from you while you try to locate the owner.
Start by checking the puppy’s collar for license or identification tags. If you find a tag, try calling the phone numbers listed to see if you can easily find the owner.
If there are no identification tags, check inside the puppy’s ears or on the inner legs to see if there is an identifying tattoo. You can also take the puppy to a local veterinarian that can scan the dog’s body to see if an identifying microchip is implanted. If any of these actions pan out, you may be able to return the puppy home before dark. If not, there are other things you can do. One is to drive the dog to the nearest animal shelter.
If you choose to house the dog until the owner is found, check for posters announcing a missing dog. Frantic owners often post lost signs on telephone and electric poles, in grocery stores, Laundromats and other popular places. Even if you choose to keep the puppy until the owner is found, many states require you to contact the local shelter, which is one of the first places someone who lost a dog might call.
You can try posting your own found posters in hopes that the owner will find you.
Be sure to listen for a radio announcement and read the local newspapers for lost and found items. Some owners will advertise that their puppy is missing.
The stakes change a bit when you find an injured puppy. If you can safely pick the dog up and get him or her into your car, transport it to your local animal shelter. You can also take an injured puppy to the veterinarian. However, expect to pay for the services that are needed. There is no guarantee that the owner will pay the bill if you do find the person.
If you find a stray puppy, remember the golden rule. Do unto other pet owners as you would have them do unto you.
Related posts:
- What to Do if Your Puppy is Lost
- Protect Your Puppy from Becoming Lost
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – Lost
- Puppy Tails – Oliver Gets Lost
