I would request proof of ownership- Medical records, pictures ot the dog, any markings the dog may have, to be told the name to see if they respond to it, proof of liscense from city, etc.
I would also have them met me at the vets office not my home. I know my vet would let me carry a tab if is was vetting an unfamilar dog. They could settle the debit with the vet directly.
I have found others pets before and did the above. I have yet to have a problem if the pet has only been with me a few days. They owners are just happy to have their fur butts back.
I did have a problem once. I had held the dog for 2 months and no owner came forward so I rehomed it. I had notified vet clinics, humane society, ASPCA, shelters, local rescues, etc. within 100 miles. The dog hated my families Bichon. The dog was processed through the local kill shelter originally after I found him- After 7 days they told me the dog was mine. So I vetted him, neutered him, and continued looking for the owner.
3 months after the dog was found by me a crazy lady called to say I stole her dog. A vet's office gave her my name and number. She said she was on vacation and her petsitter never informed her dog was missing. He dog had horrible teeth, an undiscended testicle, no collar, no tattoo, no microchip. Any pet could quickly get matted and dirty. She claimed this dog was a show dog- Nut job. The dog belonged to me after the 7 days and the dog was is a new home and highly spoiled by this time. The breaking point for me was when she said I had to pay her for the cost of the dog. I told her to take me to court but she would not win. I never heard from her again. |