What to do with a stray you've FOUND
We receive about 2-3 calls on strays/abandoned German Shepherd dogs nearly every day. Needless to say, we are not able to accommodate them all.
1- WE CANNOT COME OUT TO PICK UP A DOG AT LARGE (RUNNING LOOSE)
2- DOG MUST BE CONTAINED AND HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE WE CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE.
3- WE ARE CURRENLTY ACCEPTING ONLY PURE BRED GERMAN SHEPHERDS; WE ARE UNABLE TO HELP WITH MIXED BREEDS AS THERE ARE WELL OVER 100 ALL-BREED RESCUES TO ASSIST WITH THEM.
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We are not a shelter or kennel. All of the dogs in our rescue are fostered in private homes and we always have a long wait list for foster homes. Summer is particularly challenging given both the tremendous increase in homeless dogs along with so many folks leaving town for the summer home, vacations, graduations, etc.
- Before we can place a dog in someone's home, we must see and evaluate the dog (for temperament and health). Some of our foster homes have children or other pets, so we must know if placing a strange dog (off the streets) in that home is safe. We must also have an available foster home.
- We will be happy to work with you and ultimately try to foster and re-home strays, however, we are unable to take possession of stray dogs immediately. It takes time to evaluate the dog then find suitable living quarters and we always have a wait list. Unfortunately there is no way that we can provide a time frame for finding a foster home.
ACTION TO TAKE:
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Take the dog to your local vet to have it scanned for a micro-chip. If they find a micro-chip they will be able to help you with the process to contact the owner.
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Post flyers in the neighborhood where the pet was lost. Ask elementary schools in your area if you can post a flyer - kids often notice animals. You can also post them at dog parks, vet offices, pet groomers, and pet stores in the area. Talk to your neighbors, letter carrier, landscapers, pool cleaners, paper deliverers, irrigation servicers, and anyone else that is regularly in the area.
- Given the number of resources now available for lost and found dogs, we have discontinued lost & found postings on our site. Please utilize the links below with which most folks are now familiar.
- Post "LOST" &/or "FOUND" ads on www.pets911.com, phoenix.craigslist.org, www.ebayclassifieds.com and www.petfinder.com and UTILIZE THE BANNERS BELOW.
Please try to house the animal while you try to find his/her home. MCACC and AZ Humane are overpopulated and if you turn the animal in to one of those locations their time is likely limited. Keep the animal separated from your pets to prevent spreading of diseases or injuries from conflicts.
This does take time and effort but wouldn't you hope that someone would do the same if they found one of your furrkids? Seeing a family and pet reunited makes it all worth it.
That said, intentional abandonment is on the rise; if a dog has no collar, no id, no chip and is intact, and/or in poor shape, finding an owner is unlikely and perhaps not in the best interest of the dog.
If you cannot house the dog for any length of time, you can take it to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control and ask that the dog be placed on a HOLD and NOTIFY in which case you will be notified if not claimed after 72 hours and, hopefully, before the dog might be euthanized, you will then be given the opportunity to take the dog back.
INJURED OR DISTRESSED STRAYS
IN THE EVENT THAT YOU ARE EITHER IN POSSESSION OF AN INJURED STRAY OR HAVE WITNESSED AN INJURY TO A DOG WITH NO APPARENT OWNER, the ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY at 13th Avenue and Hatcher in Phoenix WILL ACCEPT AND TREAT SUCH DOGS.
In September 2002, the AHS launched its Emergency Animal Medical Technician (EAMT) program. Certified EAMTs can provide life-saving medical treatment to sick, injured or abused animals in the field. These animal paramedics respond to animal emergencies and remain in radio contact with a staff veterinarian. Not all jurisdictions are covered however.
To request an ambulance for a sick or injured stray animal or animal in distress, call their Field Operations department:
602-997-7585, Ext. 2073, or visit their web site at www.azhumane.org
| To request an ambulance for a sick or injured stray animal or animal in distress,
call their Field Operations department:
602-997-7585, Ext. 2073, or visit their web site at www.azhumane.org
|
OTHER HELPFUL INFO:
A word of caution: When posting flyers, placing ads or listing on web sites, DO NOT include a photo or detailed description of the found dog. Such information is appropriate for a "LOST" DOG, BUT NOT ONE YOU HAVE FOUND.
Include only: "Found: adult (or puppy) male (or female) German Shepherd, in vicinity of_______ and the date." Use your cell rather than home phone number.
Anyone who is actively looking for their lost GSD should be able to describe their dog to YOU. They can tell you if he/she was wearing a collar and the type or color, they can give you the dog's name to which he/she should respond. Any other identifying markings or characteristics (neutered, scar on nose, has 3 white toes, one floppy ear, coloring, etc.) should be provided by the owner.
LOST DOG BEHAVIOR
CLICK FOR INFORMATION
Please Note: ANY GSD found with our tag or chipped to us--SW German Shepherd Rescue--call us ASAP and we will respond immediately. THANKS!
