What to Do If You Find a Stray

By Joseph Devine

An adorable dog comes running into your backyard. You want to help the poor fellow but have not a clue as to where to start.

First, determine if he is a lost pet or homeless stray. Has he been well fed? Is his coat in good condition? Are there any signs of identification on the animal such as tags? Does he have a collar or indentation marks in the hair around the neck where a collar previously was? All these are important clues as to whether the animal has recently been cared for. If you do feel the animal has an owner, it is important to act quickly.

If the dog is wearing identification tags such as residential, rabies vaccination, or licensing all that is needed is a simple phone call. Check for tattoos on the inside of the dog's ears, gums, and along the inner surface of hind legs. For help tracing tattoos, phone the regional chapter of the American Kennel Club, International Kennel Club, American Cat Fancier's Association, or the International Cat Association.

Since the owner is most likely looking for their pet, make sure to check to check the "lost" advertisements in the paper and also submit your own "found" advertisement. Many humane societies and animal shelters have lost/found matchup services in which you can register the animal. Post signs with the animal's photo around the area in which you first found the pet. Grocery stores, playgrounds, and libraries often have bulletin boards where signs can be placed.

The most valuable resource is often the neighborhood children. Children make it their duty to personally know many pets and will often know if a family in the neighborhood recently lost a pet.

You found the owner! Congratulations! However, caution does need to be taken. Reselling animals for breeding, research, and fighting is unfortunately, a thriving industry. Ask for identification and for specific details about the pet. Also, the reaction the animal has when seeing the "owner" should be most telling. If doubts still remain, do not hesitate to ask for veterinary records or photographs.

If you do determine that the pet is in fact a stray, your next step is to find a loving home. Do research into the potential owners to make sure it will be a good fit. If you do decide to bring the pet to animal shelter, research the rate of adoption when choosing one. For more information on stray pets, please visit http://www.houstonveterinarianclinics.com

Joseph Devine

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