10 Steps to Take If You Find a Lost Dog

If you find a lost dog, prepare before approaching them by taking a photo and grabbing dog-safe food and a leash. Approach calmly and check their collar for ID tags. Ask neighbors, post flyers, and call local shelters and veterinarians to help find the dog’s owners.

In this article, we’ll discuss ten steps to take if you find a lost dog–from someone who’s returned many missing dogs back to their homes!

#1: Take a Picture

Before you attempt to approach the dog, always take a picture! You can post it online later to let the owner know where their dog has been, even if they’ve left the area.

It’s okay if the picture isn’t the best–you can always take clearer close-ups later if the dog lets you approach.

#2: Use Treats to Lure the Dog to You

You’ll also want to be prepared with dog treats and a leash. Get low to the ground, avoid eye contact, and toss treats in the dog’s direction. I’ve had the best luck with safe “people food” such as scraps of meat, since it has a strong odor and isn’t something most dogs get to eat every day! Just make sure it doesn’t contain any toxic seasonings.

Friendly dogs might run right over to you, avoiding the need for this step. Avoid chasing the dog if you can, as you don’t want to push them further from home or into dangerous situations, such as into a busy road.

#3: Leash or Enclose the Dog if Possible

Even if you can’t keep the dog until their owner is found, please put them on a leash or enclose them in a safe space. This might be your car, garage, or fenced yard.

From here, you can call animal control or your local shelter. Or, there might be a neighbor who can hold onto the dog until you can return them home.

If you have pets of your own, keep the dog away from them to avoid spreading pests or diseases to your animals.

#4: Check for Tags on the Dog’s Collar

If the dog is wearing a collar, they might also have ID tags with the owner’s address and phone number attached. Some dogs get pretty bouncy while you’re holding onto them, but try your best to read the tags and get the owner’s information.

#5: Ask Your Neighbors

When I find a loose dog, I always ask nearby neighbors first. Sometimes I leash the dog and walk them around, talking to people who are doing yardwork outdoors. Other times, I’ll knock on a few doors nearby where I found the dog to see if anyone recognizes them.

You can also post photos of the dog on Nextdoor or to local Facebook groups.

#6: See if the Dog is Microchipped

Shelters and veterinarians typically have microchip readers and can scan the dog for you to see if they’re chipped. Microchips contain the owner’s contact information so that you can get ahold of them and make a plan to reunite them with their lost furbaby.

#7: Print “Lost Dog” Posters

“Lost dog” posters should contain a photo of the dog, any other information you have, and your contact information. You can hang them around the neighborhood and hand them out to local pet businesses such as veterinarian’s offices or dog groomers.

#8: Call Local Shelters and Veterinarians

Ideally, someone missing their dog will be calling local shelters and vet’s offices. If you call and describe the missing dog, they may be able to put you in contact with the owner.

#9: Bring the Dog to a Shelter if You Cannot Hold Them

If you or a neighbor can’t keep the dog until their owner is found, please bring them to a local shelter. Never leave a lost dog on the street, as they could end up injured or killed.

Pet dogs can’t survive without help from humans and they don’t always recognize dangers. You’re also doing the dog’s family a favor by getting them someplace safe–if it were your pup lost outside, wouldn’t you want someone to do the same?

#10: Check Your State Laws for Keeping the Dog if You Don’t Find the Owner

It’s always tempting to keep a sweet dog you find roaming outside, but you have to remember that someone else is usually missing them! That said, there’s always a possibility that someone dumped the dog or that you’ll never find the owners, no matter how hard you search.

If you want to keep the dog you’ve found, please follow your local laws. Most will require that you look for the owner for a certain amount of time before the dog is legally yours–and these timeframes vary considerably from place to place.

Some laws require you to surrender the dog to animal control for a specified period. If you let them know you’re interested, they will likely prioritize you to adopt the dog if the owner doesn’t come forward.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © mgequivalents/Shutterstock.com