Help! I've found a stray dog/puppy. What do I do?

Dogs can become lost for all sorts of reasons, and their appearance doesn't tell you how loved or missed they are.

• If it's safe, contain the dog without forcing interaction. Check for injury and seek veterinary help if needed.
• If the dog is wearing visible identification, contact their guardian directly and help them get home.
• Dogs are often found close to home, so take a clear photo and let people in the local neighbourhood know you've found a dog. If you can safely keep the dog with you for a couple of hours while you look for their guardian, do so. If the dog needs to go elsewhere, let local contacts know where they've been taken so their guardian can follow up.
• Local lost-and-found pet groups may also be able to help. Some community members have microchip scanners and may be able to assist with identifying the dog's guardian through appropriate microchip services.
• Depending on your state or territory, a local vet clinic may also be able to help. If you can't safely contain the dog, or you haven't been able to locate their guardian within a few hours, contact the local council for the area where the dog was found.

For the complete steps, see what to do if you've found a stray dog or puppy.