If You See A Lost Pup, How Should You Help Him / Her?

Imagine this scenario: you’re out and about, minding your own business, when you stumble across a pup just ambling along.

This fur ball’s Mommy or Daddy are nowhere in sight, and you realize that he might be lost. What do you do?

The first thing you have to do is to be careful. If you’re driving in your car when you spot the pup, brake slowly, not suddenly, and then maneuver your way to the side of the road, as you turn on your hazard lights. If you have treats in your car, that can help, so bring them along when you exit the vehicle. It’s also useful to have a slip leash in your car for times like this.

When you approach this pup, keep in mind that you do not know each other and that the pup might be frightened, overexcited, or confused. If he’s injured, what he’s experiencing may be even worse. It’s important to act correctly so that the pup doesn’t run away from you or towards traffic, and also so he does not attack you instead.

In order to do this, try to approach the fur ball from the side instead of the front. Speak to him very gently in a happy tone, and as you do so, try bending down and holding out a hand. You can also start to move where you want him to go and pat your leg to coax him over. If none of this seems to work, or if the fur ball seems aggressive, do your best to keep him away from danger, and call for help.

If you do manage to get the fur ball to come to you, slip a leash around him and check him for ID. If there is no visible ID, bring him to a vet to scan for a microchip. In the meantime, use social media and websites for lost pups to advertise the fact that you’ve found him. Contact vet’s offices and shelters to see if they may know who the pup’s parents are.

If you see a lost pup and are unable to stop to help – like if you’re overtook him on a fast-moving road – or if the fur ball runs off somewhere you cannot reach, call local animal control immediately. Having them on speed dial helps in case this happens when you’re on the road.

That’s what to do if you find a lost pup. But what happens if you have to take him back with you? We’ll talk about that soon! For now, like and share!