If you found a Yorkie...
 

I was reading the S&I forum and this question popped into my head. I was curious what the general consensus would do if presented with a situation such as this.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

You're out and about in your neighborhood, walking your dogs when you come upon another Yorkie just running about unsupervised. You bring the dog to your home for the sake of safety and then start asking around to locate the owner. A day or 2 goes by and it's obvious this little dog is ill and needs the attention of a vet. I venture to say that most of us would take the dog to the vet and seek the help it needs, so in my hypothetical mind, I'm going to assume we all would.

Supposing this dog racks up a substantial vet bill beyond the initial exam fees. For the sake of argument, let's say $300, which is pretty likely. After several days, the owners are located and they want their dog back.

Now comes the part where reality steps in. In this economy, $300 is a substantial amount of money to just walk away from for most people. Particularly over someone else's irresponsibility. In a perfect world, we'd all vet the dog and forget about it. But this isn't a perfect world. And we like to lead others to think that it's exactly what we would do. But what would you REALLY do?

Would you request the owners reimburse you for the expenses? Obviously you can't force them, but would you at least ask?
Be honest. (It's ok to not be rich.)

My answer: I'm financially comfortable (not rich) and I still think I would expect the owners to pay for their dog's treatment.

I would probably explain to them what happened, what I did, and yeah, ask for a reimbursement. You did take care of their pup!

I would definitely ask for them to pay the vet bill

I would ask and of course if I ever lost my dog, I would expect to pay for any treatment my dog received during the time that he/she was lost. I would be happy that my dog received treatment and that the person was honest enough to return him. I think showing them the vet bills would be important, but other than that... yes.

I would ask for reimbursement, and if it were me expect someone to ask me as well. I think it's less about the money spent more about the principle, and showing someone appreciation for taking care of your dog.

Definitely yes to asking for re-imbursement; and I would show the actual vet bill and make a copy for their records.

Sometimes pups escape, and it is not negligence on the owners part. Stuff happens.

I'd gladly pay a vet bill and also, reward the folks who took such good care of my dog.

Yes, I would present them with the vet bills and ask for reimbursement. If they didn't want to cover necessary vetting I would question what the future holds for the dog.

funny ny dh found a shih tzu..(princess) brought her to the vet and she was chipped. they in turn called the company and they had the owner call us...the first thing she asked me (rudely) was how much i spent on the dog....haha. once i knew she had a chip we left the office. i did not know what she needed nor did i want to over vaccinate or anything. when the man came to pick her up she didnt even respond to his voice...and guess what...he told me i should keep her as she liked me a lot better than him.

but yes if i did spend money i would probably ask for it back.

well if the dog were really sick and i did not have the funds to care for it i would take it to a local shelter where they would care for it but i would still try to find the owners.
i did find a shih tzu once the appeared well cared for and healthy so i took him home after i took him to get a check up.
a few days later we found the owners and they did riemburse me when i told them i took him to the vet even thouigh i didn't ask.
they were happy to get there dog back

I would ask if they minded paying me back the $300 but if they didn't I would not get nasty with them.

I would ask for reimbursement. But if they really couldn't afford to pay then I would also understand. Although having these dogs are high maintenance sometimes economy changes things. But I would definitely be offended if they weren't at least appreciative. Although it wouldn't change my mind to do it again in a heart beat.

Yes, I would provide documentation of treatment and asked to be reimbursed.

On the flip-side, if my dog were to get out & hurt/injured in any way, I would gladly reimburse those that provided treatment for her.

I think as soon as I'd got it home I'd call the police, take it to the closest vet and have it scanned for a microchip, then contact the owner.
I wonder if vets have a protocol for such things, perhaps getting a local rescue involved is the thing to do if there is vet care required

and yes I would request the payment before I handed the dog over in this situation that you mention

I would be glad to take the baby to the vet. I would also be glad that the owners have/had been located. I would expect them to reimburse me, so I would provide any and all documentatin they needed. I mean, most people are willing to pay a reward for thir missing dog, so I would think they would be fine paying a vet bill, and just like Teegy, I would want reimbursement prior to returning the dog - or at least something in writing.

I would want someone to do the same for me/my pet(s). If I didn't have the money right then to pay them back, I would work out some kind of payment arrangements and have it in writing for the protection of both parties. I'm NOT rich, and I might not have an extra couple $100 sitting around. IJS, but that wouldn't keep me from paying them back and offering a little extra for their kindness and willingness to help.

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.

honestly, i really dont think i would ask. i would feel silly becase they didnt make me take that dog, it was my choice, and my choice to take it to the vet. if i rescued a dog from the street, it would be because i wanted and also could help. i just wouldnt feel right. and no, im not rich, i live at home, but we are comfortable. i just would think i've already paid, its fine. Unless they asked, i wouldnt bring it up. JMO

I would mention that I took the dog to the vet and give them the bill and probably am if they could reimburse me for it. If they couldn't I would just figure I did if for the dog and consider it a pay it forward and hope the best for the dog.

The Good Neighbor Hug
 

Me too.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Stuff does happen. I would be so happy to have my Yorkie back, I would give a hug for the rescuer for caring so much and check for the vet bill.

I would ask. In my opinion is I losy my dog and someone found her and took her to the vet and would be more than glad to pay them back

I would ask for them to pay the vet bill or at least half of it if they cannot do the full amount.

If I lost my dog I would hope that as soon as the person took them to the vet they would check for the microchip and then contact me. I would offer a reward because my babies are my everything and if they had to spend any monies on them then I would pay them back no ??? asked. If I found a dog and had to spend money on it because it was sickly and then the owners were found, I would let them know how much money was spent but I would not press the issue. I am not a rich woman by any means and having a 6 pack is very expensive but, I would feel good that I helped the furkid get the medical attention it needed.

I have been in that situation a few times now and luckily my vet is very understanding and helpful and doesn't charge me for these visits, although each time when the owner came and knew I had taken them to the vet they did offer to pay me and also to pay for my time which I refused. I think if they care enough to come for their pet most of them, the ones I have dealt with anyway really loved their pets.

Well, it actually happened to me. Last Year before we had a Yorkie, my daughter found one running around outside our house. She could not see anyone on the street. She waited a while and brought him in the house. He seemed well taken care of. He licked us and had a great personality (we got Yorkie fever) It was around 9PM. Later around midnight I saw a car pass by with a flashlight looking for something. I got dressed and went outside, but the car had left the area.

So I got on my car and looked around the neighborhood, finally saw the car a few blocks away, when I asked if was looking for a lost dog he lit up and was relieved. I had him follow me to the house, seemed he only lives 2 blocks away. He was very happy to have his pup back. Did not have to see a vet, but if we made the choice, we would consider that we may not be reimbursed. 2 months later we got our own Dexter. I did post this some months back.

Just hope If Dex got out, someone would return him to us.

If they didn't offer initially, then I would ask.

If someone was to look after my pup if he got out or something, I wouldn't think twice about reimbursement without the other person having to ask. I was brought up to treat people how you would want to be treated :)

Well, I would gladly pay someone back if they found one of my babies and they needed medical treatment, so yes, I would think they should reimburse me as well!!!

My advice is to look up the laws in your city and/or state regarding found dogs.

If I find one outside without tags, I immediately go to the vet (if it is on a weekend or at night I go to the EC) or to animal control and have the pup scanned for a chip. I also look all over the area for signs for lost dogs. I know I would be frantic if one of mine was missing.

In Texas owners of lost dogs must pay for any vetting that you provide and also pay for boarding.

If I could not afford to properly vet an obviously sick pup, I would go to animal control. There is no way I would keep a sick pup in my home and deny it treatment.

I realize that people think animal control is all bad .. but many shelters do provide some treatment...and honestly, if a person keeps an animal in a home without providing vet care, they are worse than an animal shelter.

Not all lost dogs are due to irresponsible owners. Accidents can and do happen where dogs get loose.

In Texas you can force the owner to pay....or no dog. In my other post, as I said, if it cannot be afforded by the finder, then animal control should take the pup. It is wrong to keep a pup and deny it treatment.

I would ask... but I would try my best to find owner before I took to vet. I would have scanned for a chip etc. Of course if it was a life threatening situation I would take to the vet.

Of course, like many others have said, I would pay a vet bill if someone took one of my guys to the vet. Life happens, I would like to think mine would not get lost ..and they are chipped.. so I sure hope I dont have that situation :rolleyes:

True, not all dogs are lost due to responsibility. If mine were lost right now, I think I could consider it out of irresponsibility.

I admit, I'm being irresponsible right now. I should have ID tags on my girls while we're waiting for microchips. I need to remedy that asap. Especially in the warm weather where my girls are actively trying to get outside.

Most vets and animal shelters are happy to scan the dog for free. The problem comes into play where you find a dog but can't take it in until later or even the next day. I know some vets are happy to hang onto and treat a stray that appears ill. Sadly, most won't unless they're getting paid.