What to Do If You Find a Lost or Stray Dog

Spotting a stray dog on the street can be stressful, and your first instinct might be to scoop it up. But the safest and smartest approach is to protect yourself and the dog while following local laws. Here’s what experts recommend.

1. Safety First: Don’t Rush In

Never run toward a stray dog or try to grab it. Scared dogs can bite, bolt into traffic, or hurt themselves. Stay calm, avoid direct eye contact, and keep your body turned sideways to appear less threatening. If the dog looks aggressive, do not attempt to capture it. Instead, call your local animal control department immediately. They are trained to handle these situations safely.

2. Call Animal Control Right Away

This should always be your first move. Animal control officers have the tools, training, and authority to safely secure and transport the dog. Give them the dog’s location, a description (color, breed, size), and whether it appears injured or sick. Stay nearby at a safe distance until they arrive, if possible.

3. Do Not Try to Transport the Dog Yourself

It’s tempting to take the dog to a shelter or vet for a microchip scan, but this can be dangerous and may even violate local regulations. Let animal control handle scanning, legal holds, and reunification. They’ll also check for rabies tags and health issues.

4. Check for Visible ID—From a Distance

If the dog is calm and you can safely do so without grabbing, look for an ID tag. But do not risk injury. Even friendly dogs can lash out when stressed. If you spot a phone number from afar, note it and pass it to animal control when you call.

5. Report It Everywhere

Once animal control is on the case, you can still help by spreading the word. Post a photo (if you safely snapped one from a distance) on local lost-pet pages like PawBoost, Nextdoor, and Facebook Lost & Found groups. Include the location and note that animal control has been contacted.

6. Contact Local Shelters and Vets for Backup

Animal control typically alerts local shelters, but it doesn’t hurt to call nearby veterinary clinics and groomers as well. Many pet owners call those places first when a dog goes missing. Let them know animal control has the dog, so the owner knows where to go.

7. Do Not Offer Food Unless Necessary

Avoid feeding the dog unless it’s clearly starving and you’ve been advised to by animal control. Some dogs have food allergies or medical conditions, and food can complicate capture attempts.

8. Protect Yourself from Scammers

If someone claims the dog before animal control arrives, don’t hand it over. Direct them to meet animal control officers, who will verify ownership through photos, vet records, or a microchip.

9. Know the Law Before Adopting

Even if you fall in love with the dog, most states require a mandatory holding period at a shelter before a stray can be rehomed. This ensures every effort is made to reunite it with its original owner.

The Bottom Line

Helping a stray dog doesn’t mean putting yourself or the dog at risk. The safest and most responsible step is to call animal control first and let trained professionals handle capture and scanning. Your role? Spread the word and stay nearby at a safe distance until help arrives.

We love dogs! You can find all of our dog content here!