1) Report it to the local facility for your area which handles stray pets. This may not always be the closest shelter to you, but it would be the one that has a contract to pick up and hold stray animals. By doing this you are placing a report in the system so if an owner is searching and files a lost pet report hopefully there will be a match.
2, Take the pet to a shelter or local vet to be scanned for a microchip. If there is one that may lead you right to the owner.
3, Post publicly on sites such as Craigslist, Facebook, putting up flyers in the area the animal was found, etc.
4, Do not assume that the dog or cat you found was dumped, unwanted, abused, neglected or unloved. Even the very best pet parents have had situations where a beloved four-legged family member escaped. It can happen in an instant and accidents are always possible. Don't assume that you know the entire situation.
If you find a pet and must bring it to a shelter NOT IN THE immediate area:
We need to mention this again, as from time to time we will learn of a pet which was picked up in one state and taken to another. If this is you and you MUST bring it to a shelter other than it's immediate area, follow up with the local animal control in the area you found it to file a found report.
EXAMPLE: If you find a wandering dog in Ocean City, Maryland while on vacation from Virginia, and being unsure where a nearby shelter may be, you decide to transport the animal back home with you to Virginia. Now it would be essential to contact our local Worcester County animal control in Snow Hill, MD to file a found report. Why? Because if that is the county the dog went missing from it's, likely where the owner has filed a lost report or posted a flyer.
Keep in mind that the laws indicate that "every reasonable attempt must be made to find the owner". That includes doing a number of things such as the tasks listed above. If you are unable to do these things to attempt a reunion, please hand the dog over to the shelter so they can follow the steps to share with the public.
Please do not overlook the things required when you find a stray. Some where an owner or family may be heart-broken over a missing pet and following these steps is the right thing to do.
Lost Pet PR | Delmarva's Lost and Found Network
Covering Delaware and the Eastern Shore
counties of Maryland and Virginia
