Help! I've found a stray dog/puppy. What do I do?
Dogs can become lost for all sorts of reasons; even the most obedient pup can find themselves separated from their loving guardian. It doesn’t take long for a much-loved pet to lose weight, develop matting in their coat, or get injured if they cannot find their way to safety. So please keep in mind that a dog’s appearance likely doesn’t reflect how much they’re loved or how eager their owner is to find them.
Lost dogs may be scared and fearful, so take care and stay calm. Don’t force the dog to interact; if you can’t catch them, simply herding them into a yard where you can safely confine them is a great way to keep them safe.
If you’ve safely caught and contained the dog, well done! The first thing to do is check them for any obvious signs of injury and get them to a vet if they need help.
Next, check for any signs of ownership. If they are wearing a visible ID, contact their guardian straight away to get them home.
If they are not wearing visible ID, start by knocking on the doors in the street where you found the dog and ask if anyone knows where the dog lives. This is usually the quickest way to get them home.
You can also snap some photos of the dog and share them on local community Facebook groups, especially if you live nearby and can safely contain the dog. Many people use social media and word-of-mouth to help locate the owner - chances are, they’re trying to find you as much as you’re trying to find them.
In most states and territories, if you cannot return the dog to its owners, then you are legally required to call council to come and collect the dog, or to take the dog to the council animal holding facility or shelter in the area in which the dog was found, usually within 24 hours.
The local council shelter is usually the first place an owner will look for their pet, so get them there as soon as possible if you can’t get the dog straight home or contact the owner. It’s important that you reach out to the council in the area where you found the dog—if the dog is taken to a different council, it will make it very difficult for the owner to find their beloved pet.
If you can’t reach the council, often local vet clinics will be able to scan the dog for a microchip and either reach out to the owners directly or safely hold the dog until the council can come.
Some rescue groups also have their own microchip scanners and would be willing to help you find the pet’s guardian or help you with next steps. You can use the PetRescue Rescue Directory to find a rescue group in your area.
TIP for NSW residents: If you live in the Blacktown, Camden & Central Coast Council areas, check the AWL NSW Find My Owner website for microchip scanning locations to get help tracing the dog’s guardian.