You remember the guilt of not being able to help the dog that seemed to have lost its way and was strolling aimlessly in the middle of the street? Or maybe that dog with its beady eyes looking at you as if asking for help? Even worse, the dog was attacked by a group of strays, and instead of fighting back for safety, it curled at the side, not knowing what to do.
That feeling of freezing in that exact moment, being blank and not knowing what to do, really hurts. It replays in your mind continuously, even though you leave the dog there and head back home.
According to Statista, with 33 million pet dogs living across Indian homes, this situation is faced by many. Most of them, even though wanting to help, have no idea what to do and end up leaving that poor soul fighting in that exact spot. The problem is, nobody ever told us what to do in that exact moment. How can we actually help them?
This blog walks you through everything you actually need to know so that next time you find a lost dog in India, you are well prepared and ready to help it.
What to do if you find a lost dog: The first few steps
Finding a lost dog may make you rush there to help him, but believe me, it doesn’t really help. It is really important for you to study its behaviour from a distance and read it through and through. A missing dog may be confused, overwhelmed, anxious, or nervous, which leads it to behave very differently. They may even be the calmest one, but being lost, they can be aggressive and seriously hurt you. So, rather than rushing without thinking of anything, you must follow some tactful steps that can ensure the safety of both you and the lost dog.
Making sure it is really a lost dog or a community one
A lost dog behaves way differently than a community dog. A missing dog is new to that certain area, so it paces up and down the road, sniffing and being afraid when any vehicle passes. It may look well-groomed with an identification tag, looking confused and overwhelmed as well.
In contrast, a community dog is familiar with every lane of the neighbourhood. It knows which human loves it, feeds it, and the exact spot to sleep in.
So it is really important to differentiate these two at first.
| Lost dog | Community stray | |
| Body language | Appears anxious, nervous, confused, and frightened. | Appear relaxed and calm, carrying on their daily activities. |
| Grooming | Generally well-groomed with no sign of struggling outside. | Mostly have the signs of living outdoors. |
| Collar or tag | May have a collar, ID tag, or other sign of ownership. | May not have a collar or tag. |
| Familiarity | Doesn’t know the nooks and corners of the neighbourhood. | Knows every local route, person, and other neighbourhood dog and cat. |
| Behaviour with locals | Generally frightened or aggressive, not knowing anybody in the neighbourhood. | Generally knows most of the neighbourhood people who feed it or pat it. |
Approach the lost dog without rushing in
Once you make sure that the dog is truly a lost dog, the next step includes
- Observe the lost dog’s body language from a distance: Observe its ears, tail, and eyes. A frightened or aggressive dog has its ears back, a stiff body, fixed eyes, and a drooping tail. If you see it like this, it is better to not go closer to it, as it may put your safety at risk.
- Take slow steps towards the lost dog: Move slowly and do not make direct eye contact because the lost dog may feel threatened and attack you. Wait for it to come to you.
- Talk in a lower voice: Talk slowly and softly in a lower voice so that the lost dog can calm down rather than being nervous.
- Be aware even when moving forward: If the lost dog starts growling or becomes visibly nervous, do not take any further steps. Step back and maintain a safe distance. Do not force it. Give it some time, and if it still acts the same, contact a local NGO or any other animal welfare organisation for an experienced person to handle the situation
- Make the small gesture before touching it: Hold out a hand and let the missing dog sniff before you touch it.
Search for the missing dog’s identification
Once the lost dog lets you get close, check for
- A collar with a phone number or address attached to the missing dog.
- A vet tag, or some kind of municipal registration tag.
- A microchip that any vet clinic can scan.
If you find a phone number, call it as soon as possible. Maybe the missing dog’s family is desperately searching for it somewhere.
Give the lost dog some water and food
A frightened and exhausted dog calms down faster with something in its stomach. You never know how long it has not eaten something. First, we need to hydrate it, as dogs wandering in Indian heat become more dehydrated than hungry. Give the lost dog some water in any container you find nearby. If nothing is present, pour some water into your cupped hand for it to drink.
For food, try to give something like boiled boneless chicken, fish, or even an egg with plain rice. Avoid spicy, salty, and sweet foods. Avoid giving the lost dog dairy, as it might upset its stomach, and also make sure to not give it chocolates or onions, as those are harmful to dogs. If anything is not accessible, dog wet food works perfectly.
Check if the missing dog has any injuries
Check the lost dog carefully. Is it limping? Are there any cuts, swelling, fractures, or bald patches? Also check for the symptoms of dehydration like dry gums, sunken eyes, and general fatigue. If it is bleeding, fractured, or weak, don’t try to treat it yourself; contact the local vet for medication.
Take the missing dog somewhere safe
Once the lost dog is well fed, hydrated, and thoroughly checked, the next step is to move it to somewhere safe, away from traffic and other stray dogs.
- Keep the missing dog away from traffic: Move the missing dog away from busy roads.
- Choose a temporary place for it: Move it to a temporary place like the corner of your staircase, balcony, or any other secure area.
- Keep the lost dog away from your pets: If you have pets, try to keep the lost dog separate before the vet check-up, as it may carry parasites or spread illness among your pets.
- Keep the environment calm: Keep the surroundings of the missing dog calm, as loud noises can trigger its anxiety.
- If taking the lost dog to your home is not possible: Ask a trusted neighbour, a local animal shelter, or a fosterer to give a temporary shelter to the lost dog.
How to find a lost dog’s owner
If you find no tags, no microchip, and nothing, you have to step further.
Post about the lost dog in the local pet lost-and-found social media groups
Each city has some lost and found pet groups on social media where pet owners and rescuers post about the pets who are lost or have been found. You can upload the missing dog’s photo there and ask people to share it as much as possible to reach its family members.
Make sure your post includes:
- Clear face and full body of the lost dog
- Exact location where you found the missing dog
- Exact date and time when you find the lost dog
- Breed, size, and colour of the lost dog
- Your phone number so that the missing dog’s family can contact you
- Any injury or health issue of the lost dog
Tag animal welfare pages in your city when you post. Most of them reshare lost-and-found cases without hesitation.
Ask the vets, NGOs, and guards of the locality
- Call all possible vet clinics within some kilometres. They may have information about the lost dog.
- Reach out to local NGOs and shelters, as many of them keep a “missing pets” list.
- Tell the security guards of the nearby housing societies. The lost dog may belong to one of the families who live there.
- Ask the local neighbourhood shops or the local tea stall owners. They may have an idea of the neighbourhood pets.
Check for any missing report of the lost dog
- You can go to the local police station and check if there is a missing report of a lost dog.
- Check your municipal corporation’s animal control office. They may help you with it.
Verify the person claiming the lost dog
A person claiming to be the dog over a phone call or text does not make it obvious that the person is the dog’s family. While posting about the dog online, make sure you hide some of its features, which will only be possible for its real family members to know.
When a person claims the dog, ask about those features, the area where they last saw their dog, the time and date of disappearance, and some photos of the dog with that person. Once the details match, take the dog to meet the person and let the dog’s reaction tell the rest.
What to do if days have passed and nobody has claimed the missing dog
Did nobody claim the lost dog even after days? Your next step will be to widen your search. Here’s what we can do next.
Expand your search for that missing dog
You’ve already posted in the local lost and found social groups and called nearby vets and NGOs. Now widen the network:
- Re-share your post in groups covering the city wider, not just your local area. The owner may live further away than you’d think.
- Call shelters and NGOs farther from your locality, too. Owners sometimes report a missing dog to the shelter that is closest to them, which may not be near the spot where they found the missing dog.
- Update your original post with a note like, “Still searching for its family.” People are more likely to notice and share a post that’s clearly still active.
- Check the police station or municipal animal control office again in case a matching report has been filed after you last checked.
Visit a vet to rescan the microchip
If no microchip was found in the first scan, try a different clinic this time. Many times, a chip can shift slightly under the skin. Even a quick scan cannot detect the chip, so this time try scanning it more carefully.
Make a decision about the Lost dog’s long-term care
Even after days of constant effort and a genuine search, if the missing dog’s family cannot be found, then it is time to think otherwise.
- You can adopt it yourself or ask your friends or neighbours.
- Contact a local NGO or animal welfare organisation to take care of it. In this way, it can have proper care and a home while the search continues.
- Keep the post and update it occasionally so that if the lost dog’s family member comes across the post, they may contact you and the dog can go back to its home
- If nobody contacts you even after all of these, ask the NGO or animal welfare organisation about the process of adoption. In this way, the missing dog may have a permanent home again.
A quick checklist for finding a lost dog in India
| Action |
| 1.Observe it from a distance and make sure it is a lost dog. |
| 2.Approach slowly and carefully while staying calm. Stay alert and go further only if the dog is letting you. |
| 3.Check for a collar, tag, or microchip. |
| 4.Offer water and some food. |
| 5.Check for injury or illness. |
| 6.Move it away to somewhere safe. |
| 7.Post in local lost and found online groups |
| 8.Ask nearby vets, NGOs, society guards, and local stalls. |
| 9.Check if someone filed a missing report with the police or the municipal office. |
| 10.Extend your search further away from your locality if nobody contacts you even after days. |
| 11.Think otherwise if nobody still contacts you. |
Take action with Dog Welfare India
Finding a lost dog is only the first step. Giving it food, water, and proper shelter; checking if its physical condition is sound; and searching for its family are what make the difference.
But what about the stray dogs roaming outside, hungry, bleeding, fractured, or ill?
Not every dog has a loving family to go to. Some are hungry, ill, and injured community dogs with no one to rely on; some are puppies born in an unsafe spot; and some live in a neighbourhood that does not have any ABC drives. Dog Welfare India runs rescue, vaccination, rehabilitation, and sterilisation programmes and long-term care for every community dog across Palghar, giving them a healthier and safer life.
You can also be a part of it, other than reporting. You can sponsor a dog’s medical treatment or surgery, contribute towards our sterilisation and vaccination drives, or help us fund an ambulance for emergency rescues. Other than that, if you want to volunteer directly, we welcome you to help us with feeding, rescue support, and community awareness. Reach out through our contact us page and help us to give every street dog in Palghar a safer, healthier life.
FAQs on what to do with a lost dog found in the streets of India
What should I do first if I find a lost dog on the street?
Approach the lost dog slowly and calmly. If it lets you touch it, give it some food and water. Check if there is any ID tag or microchip, and also check for injury. Move it to some safe shelter and start searching for its family.
How can I tell if a dog is lost or just a community dog?
A lost dog generally looks confused, anxious, and overwhelmed. It is either aggressive towards people or frightened. On the other hand, a community dog is usually calm, relaxed, and friendly with their neighbours and surroundings. If confused, it is better to ask local people about the dog.
Is it safe to touch a lost dog on the street?
It is safe to touch a lost dog on the street only if it looks calm. Approach slowly and calmly, avoiding direct eye contact, and touch only if it lets you. If it growls or acts differently, step back, give it space, and call a local rescue group or NGO.
What should I feed a lost dog I’ve found?
First,t give it some water to drink, followed by boiled rice with chicken, fish, or egg. Avoid spicy or sweet food. Do not give them onions or chocolate, as both of them are toxic to dogs. Try avoiding dairy as well.
How do I find the owner of a lost dog in India?
Post the information, like clear photos, the place, date, and time of the lost dog being found, in social media groups. Contact local NGOs, vet clinics, and housing society guards. Also check the police station and municipality for any missing reports of the dog.
What if no one claims the dog even after a few days?
Expand your search beyond locality. Reshare the post in a social media group covering a wider area; recheck with police and municipal offices. If even after searching genuinely, it is not found, either adopt it yourself or contact shelters for fostering and take steps to find it a new home.
What should I do if the lost dog is injured?
If the lost dog is injured, do not try to treat the wound yourself. Take the lost dog immediately to the local vet for further treatment. While already visiting, make sure to ask the vet for a scan to find out if there’s a microchip.
How to be sure if the claiming person is really the lost dog’s family?
While posting online, do not reveal every feature. Ask the person to say some of it, to show a picture of it, and to say when and where the person last saw it. If the details match, take the dog to meet the person and let its reaction speak.
