If you’ve encountered a lost dog in the past, you likely know the dogged efforts required to bring about a happy reunion with his family. But for those who’ve never found a lost dog, the steps to take aren’t always clear, especially when the dog is injured, sick, or fearful. What can you do for a dog in one of these scenarios?

There are several effective strategies to help a lost dog find his way home. These tactics are not meant for the neighbourhood dodger who is still wearing his personalised collar and ID tags—if that’s the lost dog who found you, you’re both in luck. His owner is a telephone call away, maybe even right around the corner.

These guidelines are for the rest of them, the dog who slipped his collar, or wormed out of an enclosure without his collar, or whose collar has no identification on it. Here is the perfect chance to do what you’d want anybody else to do for your own lost dog: it’s time for some detective work to help get him home.

IS THIS DOG LOST OR ABANDONED?

Regardless of the answer to this question, the ragamuffin you just found definitely needs your help. The answer, however, can indicate the next steps you take. Keep in mind that scars, injuries, or a dirty coat aren’t proof of abandonment or abuse. When a dog has gone missing for days, weeks, or months, he can become thin, filthy and sick. But without ID tags and/or a collar, how can you tell if this dog belongs to a family who may be anxiously looking for him? Spaying and neutering are excellent signs, as is a microchip. Get to a veterinarian or contact your local animal welfare officer or dog warden and ask them to check for evidence of ownership in your bedraggled foundling.

HOW TO HELP A LOST DOG

Here’s what to do first:

• If the dog is at the side of the road, pull over carefully and turn on your hazards.
• Approach him carefully, even though he looks for all the world like an agreeable fellow: his behaviour is still unpredictable as far as you’re concerned. Stay calm and get down on his level so you’re not standing over him. Check the dog’s collar or tags to find any other identification.

• If he is at least wearing an identification tag or collar, you can contact the owner straight away.
• If he has no collar or information on his tags, contact your local animal welfare officer or dog warden, or take him to a veterinarian to be scanned for a microchip—even if you plan to foster him whilst you search for his owner.

• If you must relinquish the dog to your animal welfare officer or dog warden but you’re concerned about euthanasia, find out the "stray hold” time and tell the staff you intend to retrieve the dog for fostering or adopting at the end of this period.

IF YOU DECIDE TO SHELTER THE LOST DOG YOURSELF:

• Put a lead on him and walk through the neighbourhood; a neighbour may recognise him. Whilst you’re walking, try this trick: In a cheerful, upbeat voice say, "Let’s go home!" and see where the dog takes you—he may lead you directly to his front door.
• If you can’t locate his owner in the neighbourhood, keep him separated from other animals in your house: a lost or stray dog can be sick, fearful, or aggressive.

• Don’t overlook social media in your search: post to your own network, and ask others in your network to share your "found dog" bulletin. Search online lost and found pet databases.
• Place a sign in your front garden or window alerting passersby to the found dog.

HOW TO HELP A FEARFUL OR AGGRESSIVE LOST DOG

A fearful or injured dog can behave unpredictably. Be slow and calm in your approach; chasing down a dog can cause him to panic and bolt. Never approach a dog who appears ready to bite or attack. If the dog seems aggressive or won’t allow you to come close:

• Write down all the details you can, including his or her colour, size, breed, and gender; then note the exact location where you saw him and in which direction he headed. Include road names, mile markers, and other useful landmarks.
• Call your local animal welfare officer or dog warden, giving them all the details and your telephone number.
• If possible, stay with the dog until help arrives, but never attempt to capture an unfriendly dog by yourself.
• If you feel uneasy about the dog's behaviour, stay in your car: making a sudden movement (even one as nonthreatening as opening your car door) may motivate him to bolt, possibly into the path of oncoming traffic.

• Coax him into your car if you can, but don’t attempt to transport him: the trip itself can instigate frantic or aggressive behaviour in a fearful dog. Simply wait with him in the car until help arrives.
• Ask anybody you encounter in the area whether they know the dog—they might be able to direct you to his owners.

A lost dog’s family may be trying to find him. Keep your eyes peeled for lost dog posters, but also be advised the dog you found may have wandered far from home; try to look within a 1.5-kilometre radius for up to a week after you found him.

A multi-faceted approach that includes your local animal welfare officer or dog warden is a dog’s best bet for the most expeditious reunion with his family: it’s the kindest thing you can do to send a lost dog home again.