Lost Dogs
I have a beautiful handsome adult Great Pyrenees in my outside pen tonight. He was found wandering an industrial area with a smaller dog. Here's what you do when you find a lost dog:
- Presume she is LOST. Someone from miles away may be searching for her; dogs can travel; even if they have only been gone a short time, they may look worse for wear: DON'T ASSUME.
- File a found report with the Humane Society; call Safe Harbor, Silverwalk and Bollinger County to give us a heads up, too.
- Put a found ad in the newspaper - right here, folks. Hold back some identifying thing and tell anyone who calls they will need to offer proof of ownership with photos, etc. Sometimes, the reaction of the dog to his real owner is proof enough!
- DON'T KEEP THE DOG. You are preventing someone from finding their pet. If you want the dog, let the Humane Society know; let Safe Harbor or me at Silverwalk know - we need to hold dogs 5-10 days; but will take adoption apps before then.
- Notify the vets and pet products stores; most have bulletin boards for lost and found pets. A picture is truly worth a thousand words.
- Check for a microchip or tattoo; check the collar - call the vet or number on the tags. Any vet or HSSEMO will scan a dog for you gratis.
- Use social media; I am not particularly social but boy, I use it for dogs - it's how Monk came home! Put him on your page; ask friends and rescues to share him. POST ON SEMO LOST PETS ON FACEBOOK. Get her out there so people can see her.
- Document what you do - make a folder. You never want anyone to accuse you of stealing a dog. I had a man not long ago stop abruptly in front of my house; a Beagle released to me from HSSEMO was his dog, he said. Said dog wagged his tail, too, when he heard the man speak. He had no proof for me and didn't want to take him - long story but.....keep your ducks in a row and practice due diligence.
- Contact a breed rescue: I at Silverwalk get multiple emails and calls about Beagles needing homes as well as some who are found. I will be contacting Great Pyrenees Rescue and give them a heads up on this guy.
Is the Great Pyr I have lost? Undoubtedly. Is he deliberately lost (as in dumped)? I don't know - and I am not going to assume so until I do my best to reunite him with his family. He was found with a smaller dog - were they together, did they find each other? We don't know but we need to do right by them and by their owners. If no one shows up to claim these dogs, a family or farm can adopt a great dog!
So what does this say to us dog owners? I've addressed that in an earlier post. Remember, a lost dog more than likely has a grieving family looking for her or him....we all hope.
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