What to Do When You Find a Lost Dog

Your local animal shelter should actually be your last place to take a found animal, not your first option. Animal shelters are designed to be a safety net for sick or injured stray animals with no other option. If you found a friendly, healthy dog, what should you do?

1. Knock, Knock.

Recent studies have found that most dogs are found within 1,000 feet of their home. Walk the dog around your neighborhood and see if anyone recognizes it. Most dogs travel less than a mile when loose.

2. Photo time.

Snap some photos of the dog in good lighting and cross street signs or area background of where you found the dog. Do NOT alter the appearance of the dog by removing the collar, giving a haircut, adding clothing, or removing clothing it had on when you found it.

3. Phone it in.

This is the first place many local residents will look for their lost pet. (Include cross streets and any other details from when you found the dog.) If the dog is dangerous or injured, local animal control officers may come get it. Be sure to create the found report regardless and send them the photos you took.

4. Visit the Vet. But, call ahead first.

Take the pet to your nearest vet clinic or pet supply store to check for a microchip. Be sure to call ahead. If the pet is microchipped, talk with the vet about getting the information of the individual associated with the microchip.

5. Post the animal on social media.

Facebook, your neighborhood Nextdoor, and the Craigslist “Lost and Found” section AND the “Pets” section in your city are great social media pages to start with. Provide as much detail as possible, any special features about the dog, collar color, etc. Post a picture showing exactly how the animal looked when you found it.

6. Get crafty.

Create bright, colorful found pet posters and post them within a 1 mile radius around the area you found the dog. The posters should be big enough that people could see them passing by in a car, with large text indicating “found dog,” a basic description, a large, clear photo and your contact information. It’s best not to try to guess the breed, age, etc. in case you’re incorrect. Stick to colors and unique identifying features so many people will respond.

7. Can they crash at your place?

If yes, great! Go ahead and do that. If after 14 days the dog has not been claimed by the owner, you can rehome the dog. There are organizations that will allow you to foster through them to help with the rehoming. We are encouraging anyone in the community who finds a lost pet to help with fostering the animal first.

Our kennel hours are:
10:00 – 5:30 Monday through Saturday

• Walk through all the kennels, if you see your pet, write down the kennel number and go to the front office. They will help you from there. Kennel #_____ Description_____________
• If your pet is microchipped, click here to find the registry or manufacturer that made your lost pet’s microchip. Contact those registries when your pet is lost to see if his/her microchip has recently been scanned and a microchip number has been identified.
• Check the local newspaper in the found pet section
• Look in the “Found” book located in the front office.
• List your missing pet in the “Lost” book located in pet receiving
• Check the DOA list, located in the front office
• If you do not find your pet the first visit to the shelter, check back every two or three days. All incoming stray animals are held for a minimum of three straight days before being placed up for adoption
• If your pet is wearing identification, IVHS makes every attempt to contact the owner by phone and/or mail to let them know their pet is at the shelter
• Be aware that your pet may have lost its I.D. Make sure to visit our shelter every two or three days to see if it has turned up here
• To redeem your pet, you must be the licensed owner or have a note from the licensed owner giving you permission to redeem the lost pet. Accompanied with the note from the licensed owner, we will need to see a copy of their I.D. (ex. driver’s license) and proof of ownership.
• If you find your pet, a redemption fee will be assessed. If your pet is not altered, IVHS offers an opportunity to have it altered before it leaves the shelter. IVHS will apply a portion of the redemption fee to the cost of spay or neuter at our on-site Veterinarian Clinic. This will reduce the cost of dog licensing in the future and add three to five years to the life of your pet, whether it is a cat or a dog.