Did you know that 1 out of 3 pets will go missing during their lifetime? And since stray pets rarely return home on their own, it’s important to know how to help reunite them with their families. Here’s what to do if you ever find a lost dog in Gilbert.
How to Help a Lost Dog Get Home Again
First, remember to approach the dog carefully. Lost dogs may be frightened, which could make them aggressive or defensive, and you don’t want to risk getting bitten. If they don’t let you get close, you can notify Maricopa County Animal Care and Control of a stray dog.
If the dog is friendly, and allows you to pet them, do your best to secure them. Letting a dog roam is dangerous, and it could even be deadly if they run out into a busy street. If you don’t encounter anyone in the area looking for a lost dog, bring them to a safe place, like your home or a shelter. Check for a collar and ID tags—the tags will either have their veterinarian’s or owner’s phone number on them.
If the dog has no tags, check for lost pet notices on Next Door, and in neighborhood groups on Facebook or local threads on Reddit. If you don’t see a post that matches the dog’s description, take a picture of the dog and make a “Found!” post. Sometimes this is enough to locate the dog’s owner. But if social media isn’t bringing any results, you can always take the dog to a vet or a shelter to find out if they have a microchip ID.
Who Can Scan for a Microchip?
Animal shelters like the Humane Society can scan for a microchip, and so can any veterinary clinic. Scanning a microchip is just like scanning a barcode at the self-checkout. The scan reveals a code that the clinic or shelter can use to look up the owner’s contact information in a secure database online.
Usually, scanning a lost dog’s microchip is the quickest way to get in touch with their owner. However, if they moved or changed their phone number and forgot to update their pet’s ID information, it could take some time to reach them. If you are not able to care for the dog indefinitely, you can surrender them to a shelter. Animal shelters will usually hold lost pets for a set length of time before putting them up for adoption.
Unfortunately, sometimes a lost dog may actually have been abandoned. We know it’s unthinkable that someone would ever be so callous, but it does happen from time to time. If you want to make sure that the dog gets a better chance at finding a new home, surrender them to a no-kill shelter for adoption.
Should I Get My Pet Microchipped?
At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we always recommend microchipping your pet. It’s usually the easiest and fastest way to reunite a lost pet with their family. You never know when a pet might get scared and bolt out the door, or go wandering off and get lost. Whether you have an energetic dog or an indoor-only cat, getting a microchip ID is an important safety measure.
Microchipping is a safe and painless procedure that has no side effects. And don’t worry, a microchip ID is not a tracking device or anything even remotely sinister. As we explained above, it simply reveals a code that a qualified provider can enter into a secure database online. The only time your contact information would ever be accessed is when someone who found your pet is trying to reach you.
Get Your Pet a Microchip ID at Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert
If you ever find a lost dog without a collar ID, and you’re wondering what to do, you can bring them to Anasazi Animal Clinic for a microchip scan. We’d be happy to help you get in touch with their owner so they can have a happy reunion.
Our vets also want to help you keep your pets safe and healthy. If you want to get your pet microchipped, or they’re due for a checkup and booster vaccinations, please give us a call to make an appointment.
Photo by Simon Moog on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 3/17/25.