Tips for reuniting a found dog and their owners

[megansmomma]

Lost and Found dogs are always a hot topic on YorkieTalk and everyone has lots of advice about how to handle the steps of reuniting the pet and owner. Missing Pet Partnership is an excellent source for guidance with a campaign of "THINK LOST, NOT STRAY" and would love to share with everyone this information that we can all use when there is a FOUND DOG.

Since we are all animal lovers and want the very best to help the pup and owner to be reunited this site is a wealth of information.

People who find stray dogs often misinterpret the dog's behavior; they assume that the cowering, fearful dog was "abused" when in fact the dog has a xenophobic temperament and has been shy and fearful since it was a puppy, due to genetics and puppyhood experiences. Dogs found in rural areas are often assumed to be "dumped" and homeless; many rescuers never think this could be a dog that was lost. Some people who find a stray dog that does not have a collar automatically assume it is "homeless" and therefore they immediately work to place the dog rather than attempt to find the dog's owner. In addition, the first place the owner of a lost dog will search for his or her dog - the local shelter - is typically the last place that someone who finds a loose dog will take it (due to the fear of euthanasia)!

Recovery Tips - I Found a Stray Dog

If you find a stray dog, here's what Missing Pet Partnership recommends that you do:
Carefully following the steps below will greatly increase your chances of reuniting the dog with its owner:

1. Assume, no matter how the dog behaves or what it looks like, that this dog is owned and loved by someone who wants the dog back. This is the basis for our THINK LOST, NOT STRAY campaign. Dogs with skittish or "xenophobic" temperaments that run from strangers, especially when lost, are often mistaken as having been "abused." In reality, many of these dogs are pampered pets who have exhibited fearful behavior since puppyhood. They are genetically predisposed to being skittish and their behavior has nothing to do with how they have been treated. Also, a dog's appearance can be deceptive when determining how the dog was treated before you found it. A loose, lost dog will lose weight, become dehydrated, obtain injuries, become matted, and pick up ticks, fleas, and burs in their fur. So for the sake of a potential happy reunion, never assume that the dog you found was dumped, abandoned, or homeless until you have concrete evidence or until all efforts to find an owner/guardian have failed.

2. By law, you are required to turn found dogs over to local authorities (animal shelter, pound) where their owner/guardian will be able to claim them. One of the primary reasons why lost dogs are not reunited with their families is that the animal shelter is the first (and primary) location where dog owners search for their lost dogs but it is typically the last location where found dogs are taken (due to the fear that the dog will be euthanized). Very few municipal shelters have the resources available to house lost and stray animals more than three days. If you are not willing to take the dog to the shelter, most shelters will allow you to foster (house) the dog while also filing a found report by providing the description, the location where you found it, and your contact information. We suggest that you also create a FOUND DOG flyer to mail or take down to the shelter so they can post it on a bulletin board. Then if the owner/guardian shows up at the shelter searching for his or her dog, the shelter can put the family directly in touch with you.

3. Check the dog for ID tags or tattoos. Tattoos are often found inside the ear or on the inner legs.

4. Place a long leash (and secure collar) on the dog and tell him "Go Home!" Unfortunately, some people do allow their dog to roam off leash and it is possible that you found a dog that knows exactly where its home is. See if the dog will lead you to its home. If you pass by any people, ask them if they know who owns that dog. Don't release the dog to ANYONE until you are positive that you have found his or her rightful family!

5. Check the area for any "LOST DOG" posters, but understand that the dog might have traveled quite far and the posters could be one mile away or more. Also consider that the dog may have escaped in the last few hours and the posters haven't gone up yet. Maybe the dog's owner is disabled and unable to create and hang posters. Just because there is no poster, don't automatically assume that there is no owner! Chances are there is an owner who desperately wants his or her companion home. Be sure to check back in the area and within a one-mile radius for "LOST DOG" posters for up to seven days after you found the dog. Different circumstances (health problems, being out of town, etc.) can prevent people from posting lost pet flyers immediately.

6.Take the dog to a vet's office and have it scanned for a microchip. Microchips are tiny computer chips containing identification information that are injected under the skin of pets to provide permanent, positive identification. Most vets and animal shelters are equipped with the readers needed to detect and interpret microchips.

7. Check the "lost & found" ads in the local paper, and place a "found dog" ad yourself. Remember to check the "lost" ads periodically, as well as local lost pet websites. Even if the description given doesn't perfectly fit the dog you've found, call anyway. You'd be surprised how many pet owners, shelter workers, and individuals who find lost pets and place "found" dog ads get the breed wrong!

8. Post a giant FOUND DOG poster near the exact spot where you found the dog and a couple more at major intersections in that area. Use florescent posters that are 28" X 22" in size (found at most office supply or drug stores). Using a wide black marker (do not use water soluble markers), write five or six words that convey your message, then put your phone number in smaller writing at the bottom. For example, if you find a white teacup Poodle, you could write: "FOUND TINY WHITE FLUFFY DOG" and your phone number. That's it. Don't be too descriptive. If someone calls to claim the dog you found make THEM tell YOU what their missing dog looks like. Ask the caller if the dog is licensed and/or microchipped. If it is, then ask him or her to bring proof of that or photographs of the dog when you meet each other with the dog. If there is no paperwork or photos, then ask him or her to meet you at your veterinarian's office where you can have the dog scanned by your vet. If you don't meet at your vet's office, be sure to take a second person with you and make sure to meet in a public location. Let someone at home know exactly where you will be going.

9. If you belong to an organized rescue group or if you routinely encounter loose and stray dogs, you can actually pre-make florescent "FOUND DOG" signs and have them on hand for the next time you find a dog. You can also affix them (with duct tape on the back) to recycled campaign signs made with a wire "A" frame. These signs are reusable and if there isn't a telephone pole nearby, you can simply stick the signs into soft dirt next to a busy roadway and get your message out to many drivers passing by.

10. Finally, take a photo (digital if possible) of the dog and make up some smaller (8 1/2 X 11) black & white "FOUND DOG" flyers with a partial description of the dog, the location where you found the dog, and your contact information. Leave off certain details so all callers will be forced to identify the dog. Deliver these (delegate if you need to) to rescue groups, vet offices, and pet supply stores in your area. All national pet supply store chains offer lost-and-found bulletin boards in their stores, including PETCO and PetSmart, so be sure to take flyers there.
Do not let just anyone claim that the dog you found is his or hers. Do not answer any questions (from the caller) pertaining to the description of the dog. Do not ask leading questions like "Does your Poodle have a kink in its tail?" but instead ask open-ended questions like, "Describe your dog's tail" or "Is there something unique about your dog's tail?" Make the caller give you a full description of the lost pet. Never agree to deliver the dog to the caller unless you have first told a friend or family member where you are going and take someone along with you.

Making poster another great idea to use for both Lost and Found Pets

Below are some examples of how to make good posters that are visible and easy to read.

Make them GIANT so that people driving by cannot miss them.
Make them FLUORESCENT so that the color attracts the attention of everyone.
Put them at major intersections near where you lost your pet (and in areas of sightings).
Keep them BRIEF and to the point.
Let them convey a VISUAL IMAGE of what you have lost.

[Wylie's Mom]

Thank you Jodi! There is a permanent copy of this in The Library.

[Nancy1999]

Thank you so much Jodi; this is such a wonderful post and much needed information! When I found a dog recently, everyone told me to not call the pound, and some people believe that a dog will be PTS if you do this, but most pounds will allow you to foster a dog until the owner is found. I urge everyone to read rule two again.

2. By law, you are required to turn found dogs over to local authorities (animal shelter, pound) where their owner/guardian will be able to claim them. One of the primary reasons why lost dogs are not reunited with their families is that the animal shelter is the first (and primary) location where dog owners search for their lost dogs but it is typically the last location where found dogs are taken (due to the fear that the dog will be euthanized). Very few municipal shelters have the resources available to house lost and stray animals more than three days. If you are not willing to take the dog to the shelter, most shelters will allow you to foster (house) the dog while also filing a found report by providing the description, the location where you found it, and your contact information. We suggest that you also create a FOUND DOG flyer to mail or take down to the shelter so they can post it on a bulletin board. Then if the owner/guardian shows up at the shelter searching for his or her dog, the shelter can put the family directly in touch with you.

I also love the part about think "Lost Not Stray." A dog, especially a yorkie can look very bad, after a short time on it's own, and may appear scared, but this doesn't mean that the owner has abused them. The website has so many great resources and links for reporting a lost or found dog. Here's their page of links to other sites where you can report a lost or found dog. Recovery Tips: Lost Pet Related Links | Missing Pet Partnership

[ladyjane]

Thank you....this should be a MUST READ for everyone!

[diannenet]

Jodi, thank you for this MUCH NEEDED advice. A couple years ago we were out in the garage when walking down the street came two adorable shihtzu dogs. They came right up to us in our garage. I knew they had to be lost although they did not have on collars or any identification whatsoever. We gave them water and stayed with them and about 15 minutes later a car was driving down the street extremely slow and when they saw these two furbutts they stopped. They were so grateful that we did not try to "steal" them. These people were our neighbors we'd never met. Had the owners not found these two adorable dogs, my first thought was to call our local shelter and also take a picture of them with my digital camera and put up posters on several of the streets in our neighborhood. As much as I would have LOVED to keep them, I know how I would have felt had I been the one that lost them. This is very important information and I hope fellow YT'ers pass this information along (they can copy and paste your post) to their friends and family via email. Again, thank you for a very valuable thread.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by diannenet

Jodi, thank you for this MUCH NEEDED advice. A couple years ago we were out in the garage when walking down the street came two adorable shihtzu dogs. They came right up to us in our garage. I knew they had to be lost although they did not have on collars or any identification whatsoever. We gave them water and stayed with them and about 15 minutes later a car was driving down the street extremely slow and when they saw these two furbutts they stopped. They were so grateful that we did not try to "steal" them. These people were our neighbors we'd never met. Had the owners not found these two adorable dogs, my first thought was to call our local shelter and also take a picture of them with my digital camera and put up posters on several of the streets in our neighborhood. As much as I would have LOVED to keep them, I know how I would have felt had I been the one that lost them. This is very important information and I hope fellow YT'ers pass this information along (they can copy and paste your post) to their friends and family via email. Again, thank you for a very valuable thread.

What a great idea to pass there ideas on to others outside YT!

[jencar98]

Thanks Jodi, some great tips.

And, diannenet that is a good idea to pass this info on to others.

Sadly, we have "found" the same yorkie boy in our neighborhood 4 times now. Each time we've taken him back after that 1st time, I've wondered if we are doing right by the dog. We went door to door looking for his owners and they were not even aware he had got out. I wonder how many chances an owner should have?

[shirlblack]

Wonderful information, Jodi and thanks for posting. This should be printed out by everyone and given to friends, neighbors and family members.

[107barney]

Thank for the great tips!

[BonBon]

This is excellent! Thanks for putting it together Jodi.

[chachi]

Great information. I especially like where it was said that you should assume the dog is lost and not a stray. I believe the person finding the dog should do all in their power to locate the owner

[cslat1]

Thank you so much for all the information on lost pets. I guess I would have thought of a dog as being a stray if they were dirty or matted. Fortunately for me I have never seen a stray. I'm in a rural setting and all pets seemed to be well cared for. That's as it should be. I know there are so many that are lost and in scary situations. I hope everyone reading your post will now know what to do if they see a lost pup. Again, thanks so much for sharing this with everyone and caring so much for the animals.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by cslat1

Thank you so much for all the information on lost pets. I guess I would have thought of a dog as being a stray if they were dirty or matted. Fortunately for me I have never seen a stray. I'm in a rural setting and all pets seemed to be well cared for. That's as it should be. I know there are so many that are lost and in scary situations. I hope everyone reading your post will now know what to do if they see a lost pup. Again, thanks so much for sharing this with everyone and caring so much for the animals.

You are so welcome I really do care and love animals very much and want to try to help educate as many people as possible. What I found interesting was the people assume that a matted, scared and frightened dog has been abused. I knew that people assumed them to be abused but it is now empowered to know this is called xenophobic temperament. My Bogey would fall into this category since he is very excitable, pants, can act fearful when out. When all of mine got out of the yard last month he could have easily been mistaken for a dog that was abused and not love. But everyone here knows how much I love all of my pupster. I would have been devastated to have thought someone would keep or rehome him because of his personality.

[4doggiemama]

Wow. This is great information. Our daughter has a Pommie that was found wandering out in the country. The people who found her followed most of the rules.....contacting authorities, shelter, making posters, checking lost ads. No one claimed her even after 4 months. Meg was then allowed to adopt her. Sometimes Meg looks at Moxy and sadly wonders if someone is missing their Pommie. Moxy is an extremely wonderful dog and adores children. She is a runner, and in my heart, I believe that Moxy ran away and her owners couldn't catch her. Just wonder what the circumstances were that they were unable to connect with the information about her.

Our daughter's boyfriend just found his in-door kitty that has been missing since late January. It was very weak and afraid of dd's bf and even though it had been very loved. Strange circumstances do make animals appear different than their normal loving selves. At least 3 of mine would fall into the xenophobic category.

Our local vet says that he is amazed at the amount of lost pets they get in that no one ever inquires about. Totally uncalled for in a small community.

Again, thank you for this information. Will remember it. ~Joanne~

[lil fu fu girl]

What a great post!
So many have been coming into YT with exactly that issue, with queries as to their next plan of action. Thanks so much for taking the time to create this solidified plan, as it will be of tremendous help for all.