Losing your dog is a sad possibility that no owner wants to think about. But it happens more often than we would like. To these accidental losses must be added the abandonment of pets, a problem that the new Animal Welfare Law aims to tackle.
According to the report “He would never do it”, the study on the abandonment and adoption of companion animals prepared in 2022 by the Affinity Foundation, during 2021, 285,000 dogs and cats were collected by the Spanish protectors. Specifically, 168,000 dogs and 118,000 kittens.
Surely on some occasion you have come across a loose dog on the street. Some rush to the first human they come across, while others are elusive or even show signs of injury. Do you know what you should do in this situation?
First of all, you need to check what the character of the dog is. If he approaches you without problems, the process will be easier. While if he walks away, doesn’t get caught or is aggressive, you’ll have to be much more patient. Talk to the dog with a soft voice and avoid making sudden movements that could scare it even more.
Try offering water or food from a distance and let the animal approach you little by little, so you will earn its trust. The state he’s in will give you a clue as to how long he’s been alone. If he is dirty, hungry and thirsty, or injured, in which case you should call a nearby vet clinic immediately.
Once you have managed to get close to the dog, try to hold it on a leash or rope, to prevent it from escaping again. If he has a collar, check that he is wearing an identification tag. Hopefully, there will be the phone number of its owner and you can get in touch with him. Try asking neighbors and businesses in the area in case anyone recognized the animal.
If the above does not work, the dog is not wearing a tag or no one answers the phone, you have to contact a nearby veterinary clinic or call the Local Police or the Civil Guard. They will check if the dog has a microchip, as well as if there is any report of its loss.
In the event that the dog does not have a microchip and there is no way to locate its owners, different options are open. First of all, you can take him to your house and temporarily foster him until they show up. Or ask for help from a shelter or protector where they can take care of the animal.
In the meantime, hang posters with his photo around the area where you found him, as well as at veterinary clinics and on social media. If after a reasonable time you cannot locate their owners, you can start the process of their final adoption or find a new home for them.
