[Kurmudgeon]

While walking home this morning I came across two small black Dogs (of different breeds).<br><br>
They both had collars on, but no ID tags or anything. They wouldn't really listen to me, but I did manage to change their course so they weren't headed to the main road.<br><br>
What else could/should I have done? Maybe they had those microchip implants; but a fat lot of good they would have done (as far as I am concerned).<br><br>
I can only hope that my diverting them from the main road eventually led them back to their home(s).

 

[kpickell]

whenever possible, take them to a local shelter.<br><br><br><br>
they can scan for the microchip and check their "lost dog" records to see if anyone is looking for that dog. then it's up to you whether you want to let the shelter keep the dog or if you want to keep it and actively seek the owner on your own.<br><br><br><br>
dogs don't have great senses of direction and can get lost easily. they can also travel great distances away from their home, so call shelters within a hundred mile radius and let them know you've found a dog. if left on the street they could get hit by a car, or picked up by bunchers.<br><br><br><br>
having said all that, there are many times when I see strays and don't pick them up because I tell myself I'm too busy to worry with all that hassle. but whenever possible, it's best to get them off the street.<br><br><br><br>
and if you're unable to get the dogs to come to you... then just when you get home call the local shelter and let them know when and where you saw the dogs and describe them as best as you can. ... also, a lot of people are afraid that by taking a dog to a shelter it will end up being killed. but it's much better to take that risk than to leave it on the streets. If my dog escaped, I would want someone to take it to the pound, because that's the first place I'd call.

 

[LadyFaile]

yeah i was thinking that too, that you can still call the shelter(s) and let them know that you spotted the dogs in whatever area at whatever time, so if someone is looking for them they'll have an idea of what area to look in

 

[GhostUser]

One time SilverC and I were coming out of a restaurant next to a very busy street, and there was a black dog who was criss-crossing the road. He was very scared, and even though I tried to get close to him he did not want me near him. He did not bark at me, but just looked very wary when I would approach and quickly move away. The best I could do is to sort of corral him away from the speeding cars. He then proceeded down the sidewalk. Once we got home I called the local animal shelter to have someone go look for him to pick him up, but it turned out that someone had already called and they had him in the van already.<br><br><br><br>
Sometimes the best you can do is to just try to make sure that the dog is not in any immediate danger and then inform someone of an official capacity that the animal is out there. I know I would have felt incredibly bad though had I found out that the dog had been killed further down the road.<br><br><br><br>
I think in the majority of cases you can always second guess yourself and ask "What more could I have done?" but as long as you do the best you can with the particular situation that is all that anyone can ask.<br><br><br><br>
Thanks for listening.<br><br><br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[kpickell]

Yeah...<br><br><br><br>
Also, I keep lead leash (the kind you throw over their head) in my car... Never know when I'll need it. And a blanket.