When you see a dog or cat wandering down the street, you may not know how you should act or who you can turn to. Remaining impassive in the face of this situation is not an option, since as citizens we have a duty to collaborate in the face of an alleged crime of animal abandonment. If you suspect that a pet is lost, disoriented, or has been abandoned by its owner, follow the procedure below.
If the dog is displaying normal behavior, try to get it to come to you. Avoid sudden movements and use a soft tone of voice to gain their trust. Take advantage of this moment to observe it closely and check if it has a collar or not, what breed it is and the approximate size, age and weight of the animal. Pet him and, if he doesn’t resist, hold him in some way. Try to take a picture of it in case it gets loose, use it together with the data you have memorized. Lastly, try to attend to the animal if it seems thirsty or hungry.
Once you have restrained the animal, see if it has an identification tag with the name and telephone number of its owner. If you manage to contact him, tell him that you have found his dog. In case it does not have a sheet, you can ask the surrounding neighbors if they recognize it.
On the other hand, if the animal is injured, distressed or aggressive, or is in a dangerous or difficult-to-access area, it is likely that you are dealing with a case of abandonment, so you should call the local police, the competent authority in the collection of these animals. The agents will know if a complaint has been filed for loss and, in case of abandonment or mistreatment, you will have to give a statement and give the address of the animal if it has escaped you.
The municipalities house the animals in what are known as municipal kennels, where after a certain time without anyone being interested in a stray or lost dog, they end up euthanizing it. On the other hand, public administrations also tend to collaborate with animal shelters and collection centers, where animals are housed until they are given up for adoption. Unfortunately, these entities are usually driven by volunteers who work at full capacity and it is not always easy to find a place for them.
You can prevent the animal from going through the shelter if you are available to take care of it temporarily until you find a new owner for it. If you hit it off and can offer her a home, you can always get the adoption paperwork done!
