What To Do If You Find A Lost Dog

My family and friends can attest that I lose my mind every time I come across a canine companion. I will frequently stop what I am doing to marvel at their beauty. 

Now, the circumstances have been a bit different during the times I found lost dogs. While I still appreciate the pup's presence, the situation is undeniably more serious. Thankfully, each of those furry friends had contact information on their dog tags, and I was able to return them to their owners in no time. 

However, that is not always the case when it comes to lost pets. 

Here are a few tips on how to reunite a lost dog with their family if you can not immediately find their contact information. 

Check for a Microchip

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Most pup parents opt to get their dog microchipped. According to the AKC, microchipping your dog is a painless process. Pup parents will make an appointment with their vet, who will implant the chip. From there, dog owners will “register it with a national pet recovery database.” 

Head to a local shelter or veterinarian clinic to see if the lost animal has a microchip. The dog's owners will be contacted if the pup is in the database.

Make a Flier 

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While it may seem old-fashioned, one effective way to help reunite a furry friend with their owner is to make a flier. You will want to provide your contact information, a picture of the animal, and a brief description. Consider also sharing the exact location where you found the dog.

Look on Social Media

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Look on your town’s local Facebook pages to check if anyone has posted about a lost dog. If you don’t see anything, you can start a thread regarding the pet you have found. 

Ask Questions When You Are Contacted 

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If someone contacts you about the animal, ask the person about the dog’s defining features and personality. You want to make sure that you are returning the pup to the correct family. 

Meet in a Public Spot

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Once you have determined the dog’s owner, give them back their furry friend in a public area, as your safety is a priority.