Right now I live in a subdivision, but am buying rural home. There is a dog that roams the streets in this subdivision with no collar, much less tags! She is pregnant and since she scrounges for food, I assume she doesn't get any vet attention either! I would like to take her in with me when we move into our new home. Since she either has no owner, or her owner is neglectful, can I just do this? If not, what would I need to do to make sure I'm not "stealing" a stray dog?
2006-11-01 07:26:20 · 22 answers · asked by christina_m_taft 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You'd have to check city ordinances, but generally you can take in a stray dog as long as you report it being found to Animal Control and give the owner time to claim it (generally 5-10 days). That way if there is an owner who is looking for her, they can locate her. From the sounds of it, I doubt they'd bother. You just need to do it the legal way.
2006-11-01 07:29:23 · answer #1 · answered by Shane 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Poor thing! :( Personally, I would take the dog in and care for her. Report to your local police department, humane society, animal control, newspapers, and shelters that you have found a pregnant dog and where you found her. Also post "Found" signs anywhere that your community will allow you to, local vets, grocery store bulletin boards, churches, etc.
Get the dog to a vet. I know my vet doesn't always charge when you bring in a stray off the streets (that you haven't adopted yet). The vet can check for a microchip also, although I doubt this one has one.
Make every effort you can to find the owners. If someone claims the dog, make sure that you have reported to animal control, ASPCA, andthe humane society the condition in which you found the dog, as well as how long she was a stray. Just in case the owner is neglectful, but hoping ot earn money off of pups.
Good luck and thank you for wanting to help!! I hope you get to keep her!!
2006-11-01 07:33:19 · answer #2 · answered by KJ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the dog is running loose with no collar or tags she's probably "homeless". I don't think you'd be "stealing" her. I think it's a wonderful thing that you want to bring her into your home and take care of her.
Is she friendly? Are you able to approach her? She obviously needs someone to help her out (hopefully "before" she gives birth). If you are able to get her to go with you the first thing I'd do is get her to the vet. She needs to be seen asap and will need her vaccinations. They can test to see if she's microchipped.
You can put up flyers where you live or put an ad in the paper saying that you "found a dog". This would allow anyone who might be looking for her to contact you.
I wish you the very best and I hope you bring her into your home. All our dogs and cats were rescues and they were all wonderful companions. Thank you for wanting to help her out, God bless.
2006-11-01 08:05:26 · answer #3 · answered by Mugsy's Place 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take her in now and call the local shelter and place a found report. Find out what their hold time is and after that she should be safe as yours. Get her off the street if the shelter picks her up they will euthanize after their hold time. Pregnant dogs get put down with one needle verses having to use one on each puppy too. Sick isn't it. All those that want their dog to have puppies need to rescue a pregnant one from the shelter. I have a few local shelters that call me right away. I will get them out what ever it takes. My rescue is pretty easy and will let me take in whatever I can as a foster. Anything that can be saved we try to save. Once puppies are weined and getting ready for adoption I get them spayed or neutered via my rescue and momma and they all go to adoptions and find homes.
Call a rescue and ask for help placing the puppies when they are ready. If you have a problem findong one in your area please let me know I will help. Just get her off the street.
Added:
Any diseases would be worms or Heartworm. You can only get the worms if you ingest her feces - I think you can handle keeping yourself safe. Heartworm is not contagious to you at all. I do this daily. My daughter has been drawing blood for Heartworm tests since she was 12. Don't let anyone deter you from helping her.
And again tell the shelter you are placing the found ad and you will hold her for them. Stop by any vets office with her to have them scan her but stay away from shelters. Many animal control officers get on a power trip usually the women just like female cops.
2006-11-01 07:33:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a hard question to be honest. If you're sure the dog has no home and is scrounging for food, I would take her home.
It's quite possible that her owner dumped her when she found out she was pregnant., or it's possible that she just ran away and some family is looking for her.
Follow your heart and do what is is in the best interest of the dog :-)
2006-11-01 07:37:24 · answer #5 · answered by HDB 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know the legalities, but I had a similar situation with a pregnant cat. We ended up taking her to the shelter and turning her in as a stray. The shelter had a two-week policy of holding the animal so that if she were lost, the owner would have a chance to claim her.
We told the shelter right when we took her in, "WE WANT THIS CAT." At the end of two weeks, they called, no one had claimed her. We payed the $75 adoption fee to the shelter for her care. While she was there, they had a vet check her and treat her for fleas. It was a very happy resolution.
Thank you for being so kind as to look after this dog!
2006-11-01 07:32:40 · answer #6 · answered by Doe 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
sunday evening i found a stray cat. I imediatly called my friend that was looking for a good kitty. this cat was pregnant. If the animal has no tag or collar, have it checked for a chip. If there is no form of owenership at all it will be ok to take her.just make sure when she has the puppies, if you don't want any, give them to a good home.
2006-11-01 07:52:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just take her, who cares your NOT stealing her. Whoever the dog belongs to isn't taking care of her anyways and she shouldn't be roaming the streets pregnant. I have rescued 3 dogs from the street and there is rules on finding a lost pet but 2 dogs I found were NOT taken care of so I didn't bother looking for the owner! Try going to www.petfinder.com and post a found dog ad. If no one claims her, hey you tried...KEEP HER! Good luck!
2006-11-01 07:43:39 · answer #8 · answered by L.A.M.B 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take the dog in, but you must also call Animal Control and tell them you have the dog. Animal Control can then watch to see if anyone claims the dog -- and can site that person for neglect and a lack of tags/licenses. Animal Control will most likely be grateful that you are willing to take the dog in yourself (so they don't haveto), but you still need to report it as "found" in order to stay within the prescripts of the law. ((Animal Control may also be able to help you with discounts on spay/neuter surgeries for mom and the pups, and may be able to assist you in finding placements for them.))
Thank you for being kind hearted and responsible enough to take in a needy dog mama.
If you have questions about dog pregnancy and whelping, you can contact us at fetch11hs@peoplepc.com
2006-11-01 07:43:41 · answer #9 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
just because she is roaming doesnt necessarily mean she doesnt have an owner out there looking for her. take her to the vets or ask your local dog warden to scan her to see if she has a chip. its so kind of you to want to take her in but if you think shes pregnant how are you going to cope with puppies aswell. if shes so malnurished chances are her puppies will also be and there could be many problems at birth. she needs to see a vet or taken to an animal rescue centre to be cared for. you could always adopt her 6 to 8 weeks after shes had her litter and theve been rehomed. you can take her in but need to keep her for 28 days and tell the dog wardens,police and local resue centre. but my advice would be to hand her over and her unborn litter and her will be cared for proffesionally.
2006-11-01 07:50:04 · answer #10 · answered by ben e 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋