It’s an unfortunate fact of life that many dogs do get lost or escape from their home. Many dog owners have at least one story where we lost or encountered a lost dog. While it may be tempting to try and get a stray dog to safety, you may end up doing more harm than good. To help you make helpful decisions about a stray dog’s welfare, we’ve put together a list of things you should do when you encounter a lost dog:
- Approach with extreme caution – Depending on how long he’s been lost, a dog can easily pick up any number of diseases or parasites. Furthermore, they can regress into a frenzied or feral state. Unfortunately, there’s really no easy way to tell determine these factors when you encounter a lost dog. So, it’s a good idea to approach any lost or stray dog with extreme caution. Watch for signs of aggression or anxiety. Most importantly, make sure that you come off as non-threatening and as friendly. It is recommended that you move slowly and use comforting language. Also, make sure the dog has time to sniff your hand before you try to touch him. You can also try offering food if he appears too aggressive. .
- Check the dog for a collar or dog tag – After you’ve managed to earn the dog’s trust, try to check for any source of identification. Check to see if the dog has a custom or personalized dog collar on, and if his collar has any dog tags or ID attached to it. Try to contact the owner as soon as possible if you find any number or name.
- Check the dog for open wounds or injuries – If possible, check for any injuries or open wounds. If you find any injury, take the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Be gentle, careful, and considerate.
- Take the dog to the veterinarian – If the dog seems mal-nourished take the dog to the nearest veterinarian. Additionally, you can also ask the veterinarian to check the dog for a chip.
- Spread the word through social media – If you are unable to take the dog home, leave him at a no-kill shelter. Spread the word about him on social media platforms. Take pictures of the dog, and include any distinguishing marks and spots. Post the pictures your Facebook or Twitter with the date, time, and place that you found the dog. Also, include his current location or a phone number where you can be reached. Share on your friends accounts as well. Try to reach as many people as possible.
These are just some of the things you can do when you encounter a stray dog. Of course, you can always just call animal control if you don’t want to personally get involved. However, if you do nothing, then it’s a sure bet that the lost dog will never find its way back to safety. So, make the right choice when you encounter a lost dog.
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