“Rescue Me” is a recurring column by Samantha Randall, editor of Top tips for dogs. She will provide personal anecdotes and perspective on her life as a pet lover with a passion for rescuing cats and dogs. Today she talks about what to do if you need a rescue shelter, but your town doesn’t have one.
If your town doesn’t have an animal shelter, it may be more difficult to adopt a dog or even give your dog up for adoption (if this sad situation arises). You might also wonder what to do if you find and retrieve a stray dog. Whatever your situation, there are many options available to you if you need shelter but don’t have easy access to it.
1. FIND A STRAY DOG
If you find a stray dog, the first thing to do is check for an identification tag. It is common for dogs to go missing and for owners to search for them. Some pet ID tags carry the owner’s name and contact information, and it shouldn’t be difficult to get in touch with the owner in this case.
A label may have the name of a veterinary clinic instead. Call the clinic during business hours and they should help you get in touch with the dog’s owner.
If the dog you found doesn’t have a tag, it may have been microchipped. To find out, you will need to take the dog to a veterinary clinic. After that, it will be up to you how far you want to go to shelter the dog or return it to its owners.
Notify authorities
Even if your town doesn’t have an animal shelter, it probably has an animal control or animal services department. Let them know you found a stray animal and they may be able to help you locate the owner.
Check out the media and social media
Check for lost and found ads in your local news outlets, newspapers, or even online forums. Owners of lost dogs often post ads there. You can also post the announcement yourself saying that you have found a stray dog. Be sure to properly describe the dog and state where the dog was found.
You can also print and post flyers in your neighborhood. Use social media to post information about the dog you found. Check local groups on Facebook to see if anyone is looking for a dog and to post information about the dog you have found.
Relocate the dog
If you are unable to locate the stray dog’s owner, you should try to find a new home for the animal. The steps to follow here are the same as if you were giving your own dog up for adoption.
2. GIVE UP YOUR DOG FOR ADOPTION
Going to the local shelter for help would be one of the most effective ways to find an adopter for your dog, you might want to try a few different routes if your town doesn’t have one. The same goes for adopting a dog.
Find rescue groups
Even if your town doesn’t have a shelter, it may have rescue groups or even breed-specific rescue groups if you have a purebred dog. They might have someone researching the type of dog you want to rehom, or they might be pointing you in the right direction with other suggestions. You can find local animal welfare groups on Petfinder.com.
Use the Internet
There are many adoption websites where you can post to find a suitable adopter for your dog. You can do this on general adoption websites like Wagaroo or Pet Bond, or use sites that attempt to rehome specific breeds or disabled pets. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com is another great website for anyone looking to adopt or adopt a dog.
Social media can also be a good way to find a home for your dog. Post to your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and find local groups on these social media sites where you can also post a photo of your dog to find potential adopters.
Spread the word further
Try to get your dog known as far as you can. Ask friends and family members to mention your dog in their church or use a community newsletter, spread the word in your office, and print flyers and posters to share in your neighborhood.
Walk your dog more often and let him charm those who come into contact with him. Visit local pet stores and tell them about your dog. Word of mouth can often yield positive results when trying to rehome a dog.
Obviously, all the advice for rehoming your own dog also applies to finding a stray dog, if the previous actions do not go well. Good luck, and I hope you never need to use these tips!