What to Do If You Find a Lost Dog

You’ve found a lost dog—now what? If you’re unsure what to do if you find a lost dog, you’ve come to the right place.

One in three pets go missing, according to the American Humane Society. So, the chances of you encountering a lost pet are, unfortunately, fairly high. Helping a found dog get back home can be a joyous experience, but it also can be intimidating if you’re unsure of what to do. Here are some tips for what to do if you find a lost dog and how you can help get her home safely.

How to Approach a Lost Dog

If you found a lost dog, approach her slowly and gauge her behavior.

“Dogs, especially, often read direct eye contact, and facing them directly with your body can be construed as a threat,” says Ruthie Jesus, field operations supervisor for the Arizona Humane Society, whose team is responsible for rescuing sick, injured or abused animals. “If the dog is exhibiting friendly behavior and you feel safe, then crouch down to her level and turn your body slightly sidewise to communicate a more friendly intent.”

Speak in a friendly, high-pitched voice to keep the found dog’s attention, and remove any sunglasses or hats while interacting, because these can be perceived as threatening to the dog. If you have treats handy, use one to try coaxing the dog to come to you.

What If the Lost Dog Is Injured?

If you found a lost dog who is struggling to stand or is severely injured, contact your local municipal shelter. Jesus says that even the friendliest dog may bite as a response to the pain she’s feeling, so it’s best left for professionals. They also are equipped to get the dog immediate veterinary care, if needed.

What If the Lost Dog Is on a Busy Road?

If you find a dog along a busy highway or interstate, contact your state’s Department of Transportation, Jesus says. Stopping your car suddenly or exiting your vehicle to coax the dog to you can put you and the dog at risk of an automobile accident.

If you find the dog along a neighborhood street, call your local municipal shelter or animal control agency.

Should I Put the Found Dog in My Vehicle?

If you can coax the dog to you and she’s responding to you in a positive manner, you may be able to get the found dog help faster if you can drive her to a shelter or veterinarian yourself. But use caution.

“Please be cautious,” Jesus says. “If you have to force the dog into your car, he may panic and cause a serious hazard while you’re driving.”

You should place the lost dog in the back of your vehicle, according to Jesus. If possible, she recommends creating a barrier between the two of you so she can’t jump in the front seat and distract you.

Jesus also recommends leaving the windows up to keep the found dog from jumping out while you’re driving. Dogs, especially those who feel threatened, have been known to leap from moving vehicles.

Avoid buckling the dog in with the seatbelt, Jesus says. While your intention is safety, Jesus warns that the dog can become entangled and injure herself. Drive slow as safety allows, and avoid slamming on your breaks.

Should I Take the Found Dog Home With Me?

If the dog isn’t injured and you’re comfortable caring for her until you can reunite her with her pet parent, bringing her home with you is certainly an option.

“I would recommend keeping the dog away from your own pets for several days to avoid illness or disease,” Jesus says.

If possible, exercise the dog or walk on her on a dog leash before bringing her into your house. This will relieve anxiety and allow her to go potty. Secure the found dog in a laundry room, bathroom or other room with a door, or use a pet gate, like Remove or secure any items she can chew or that might injure her, such as electrical cords, decorations and other household items. Provide her with dog food, water and other essentials until you can return her to her home.

How to Locate the Pet Parent

Once the found dog is safe and secure, you can start the process of locating her family. If the dog isn’t wearing an identification tag, like You also can post “found dog” fliers and messages on social media as well as other online outlets.

“Microchipping can significantly increase the likelihood of a reunion (with a lost pet),” says Dr. Kirk Breuninger, VMD, MPH, DACVPM, senior manager of veterinary field support at Banfield Pet Hospital in Vancouver, Washington.

Reach out to your local shelter or humane society as well; they are the best resource for lost and found dog cases. They can let you know if anyone has come to their facilities inquiring about a dog matching your particular case and help you if the pet parent cannot be located.


Chris Brownlow has been writing about pets for over 10 years. As a writer who believes in immersing herself in her topic, she has tasted more than 20 different flavors of dog and cat food while working on an advertising campaign for PetSmart. Prior to her pet days, Chris was a print and digital journalist at The Tampa Tribune and The Virginian-Pilot.

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