Speaking from personal experience, being able to reunite a lost dog and its owner is a rewarding feeling, but it’s not always an easy task. Sometimes, for various reasons, you may not be able to catch the dog and in this case taking a picture and posting it on social media with a description, can many times, lead to the owner actually seeing the post and contacting you. If you see a loose dog and feel you are prepared and are able to help, and it’s safe to do so, there are a few tips to help you find the owner as quickly as possible.

Since I am always on alert for any animal I may see that is lost or in distress, I have a few items that I keep in my car. I have treats, a water bowl, bottled water, a leash, in case I do need to get a lost dog out of a dangerous situation or just to safety inside my car. Remember, your safety is of the utmost importance in any rescue situation. 

Safety Catch and Contain the Dog

Should you feel your safety isn’t in danger, there are a few steps to help you safely catch and contain the dog.

• At all times, approach the dog calmly and encourage them to come towards you. Try to read the situation and assess if the dog is injured, which would make it more aggressive simply because it is in pain. Dogs are less intimidated if you turn your body sideways and continue with slow movement. 
• Offering a treat, pouring some water in the bowl, if you have one, may entice the dog to move closer. Don’t try and chase the dog, as this can scare them to run possibly toward an unsafe area like the road.

*One trick that can work in your favor is to open your car door and invite the dog to ‘go on a 

  ride’ in an excited voice. Every dog that I have fortunately been able to save and rescue out of

  the road has always jumped into my car and seemed happy to be out of danger. 

• If you can’t safely approach the dog or the dog is hurt and in pain, speak calmly to it and call 

   your local animal control for assistance. If you have a leash and can slip it over the dog’s head, 

   that can assure the dog doesn’t run away while you wait for help.

• Should the dog be transportable to a local animal clinic in your car, it’s a good idea to have the dog scanned for a microchip as a first step in locating the owner(s). 

Collars and Microchips

In a perfect world, the dog would have a collar or be microchipped, hopefully both. With either one, reuniting the dog with its family happens quickly, unless the dog was dumped and abandoned.

• If the dog is wearing a rabies tag, the number listed is unique to the animal and to the veterinary clinic where they received the vaccination. You can call the vet and have them look up the owner information in their system. If there is no form of ID on the dog, the best bet for being reunited with the owner(s) is through the local animal shelter, as that is the first place an owner would look. Your local animal shelter has a website where the dog’s photo and the area where it was found can be uploaded. 

Spread the Word

The more people know about the dog you have found, the better. Taking the old-fashioned route of making fliers with a picture of the dog and any contact info for yourself is a way to spread the word. Make sure to get owner identification confirmed before you let the dog leave with anyone. You can also keep some details to yourself, like if there is a scar on the dog’s foot, so only the actual owner would be able to tell you that information. 

These steps can be valuable in helping a scared and lost dog, or cat, find its way home.