Abandonment remains one of the biggest issues regarding animal welfare in Spain. For this reason, it is important to know the steps to take if we find a lost dog on the street. We explain what you should do to help.
Approach the animal
Is it injured or showing signs of aggression? If the answer is yes, it is best to contact the local police or Guardia Civil, they will help you to resolve the situation. If necessary, you can provide first aid. But, be careful, only if you know how to do it, otherwise you could hurt him.
If the dog does not seem injured or aggressive, you can approach it carefully. These animals are frightened and disoriented, so use a soft tone of voice and avoid sudden movements.
To relax him, you can also use food or water. When you do this, it is best to throw the food away. As the dog gains confidence with you, he will approach you himself. Remember to always be patient, it will most likely take a while for the animal to decide that he can trust you.
When he is calm and close to you, you can pet and hold him. You can also use a blanket to throw over him if you have one, this will help him calm down.
CHECK IF HE HAS AN IDENTIFICATION TAG
Once you have him close to you, check his ID tag:
If the dog has a tag, you’ll know his name and a number to call. Hopefully, its owner will answer quickly and you can tell him that you found his dog. If the tag has a QR code instead of a phone number, scan it. There you will find the information you need to talk to their owners.
If you are unable to contact the owner, you can keep the dog until someone shows up, ask someone in the area (in case it is in a housing development or something similar) or proceed as if it does not have a tag.
If there is no identification tag, take the dog to the nearest veterinary clinic to check if it has a microchip. They will also be able to check the animal’s health and determine how long it has been abandoned, if it has signs of physical abuse, etc.
You also have the option of calling the Police or Guardia Civil directly. When you find a lost dog, its owner has most likely already notified the authorities of its loss. This way, you make it easier for them to find it.
Is it microchipped?
Whether you take the dog to the vet or call the authorities, the first thing they will do is check if it has a microchip.
If the dog is microchipped, the vet or the authorities will check the data and contact the owner.
When the dog does not have a microchip, it does not mean that it is abandoned. It is possible that it is just a lost dog whose owners have not microchipped it. Even so, this makes it more difficult for the animal to be reunited with its owner.
In this case you can do the following:
- Contact local shelters to see if anyone has called in a lost dog.
- Keep the dog while you look for its owner.
- Adopt it and receive it in your home. This is the best way to ensure that the dog will find a home and be happy, but it is not a decision to be taken lightly. A dog that has been adopted needs different care, and you need to know how to deal with them. These animals deserve your commitment, so keep this in mind before you take the plunge.
Remember these tips if you ever find yourself in this situation, and remember that you can always turn to the authorities. If you want more information about what to do when you find or lose an animal, the Affinity Foundation has a page full of useful resources. Click on this link to learn more.
