Tools & Techniques – Shelter Checks

As animals have gone missing since the beginning of time, it’s only recently (last 20-30 years) that the science of finding them has become more organized. There are now years of statistics and case histories that have enabled searchers to draw conclusions as to what should be done and when. These “Tools and Techniques” are more like processes; each with step-wise approaches to doing things right. Many standard techniques that people use can actually decrease the odds of recovering a pet, so follow these steps as they’re given and don’t deviate, even when your emotions are telling you to do other things!

The first Tool and Technique we’ll analyze are Shelter Checks.  A Shelter Check is almost always one of the first and most important courses of action. It can be time-consuming, but it’s worth the effort.  In most jurisdictions it’s a law that anyone who finds a dog is required to notify the local Animal Control agency, or take it to the local public shelter. Many people, with good intentions, don’t follow this law. Why? They believe that, if they take a dog to a shelter/pound, that it will likely be euthanized at some point. This is understandable, but it doesn’t help matters.

Also, a dog on the run for a long period of time can look beat up, dirty, and emaciated. People who encounter such a dog will assume it’s been abused and not take it to a shelter so that the original owner will not be able to get it back and continue abusing it. Well, just about any dog left to its own devices for a couple weeks, eating garbage, running through brambles, etc. will not look pretty no matter how well its owner treated it!

Nevertheless, go to your local shelter, describe your problem, and leave your contact information. Also leave the shelter a photograph of your dog. Don’t stop there though. Go to the shelter, in-person, at LEAST every other day. Shelters are chaotic and busy places and are responsible for a lot of animals, so some situations fall through the cracks. When you go, ask questions and check each room. Don’t assume anything or leave anything to chance. Also ask about rescue groups that are affiliated with the shelter. Sometimes people will give dogs to rescue groups believing that they are “no kill” organizations. As your dog (or other pet) may have travelled, be sure to also check the shelters of neighboring jurisdictions as well.

The point is to make a plan to educated shelters and rescue groups about your missing dog. But it’s up to YOU to continue to do your due diligence, follow-up with these organizations, and not to rely on them to do the work for you.