If you found a lost pet

So, you found a stray pet... Now what?

First, take the dog to a vet or local Petsmart to check for a chip.
If no chip, take pictures of the Found dog and post found on www.petharbor.com, other lost and found websites, as well as Lost & Found pages on Facebook.
Contact local shelters to report the animal as "found" so if the owner calls looking for them, they can contact you.
Put up fliers where the dog was found.
If a potential owner contacts you, make sure they have valid proof of ownership - pictures of the dog, vet records that include breed/sex/age/weight/description, registration paperwork, etc. Ask the to identify collar color or a distinguishing feature of the dog.
Be aware that if you take the pet to a shelter, they may be euthanized, even if it is a "no-kill" shelter. San Bernardino and Devore shelters are always full and older dogs, puppies, and dogs that have never been vaccinated are prone to parvo, Distemper, kennel cough, and other viruses and infections passed through crowded shelters.
Contact local animal and dog rescues. A rescue might be able to take the pet or help you find the owners or a new home for them. Find a rescue here: www.petharbor.com
Many rescues work through foster homes. Consider offering to foster the found pet with the support of a local rescue while looking for a new home for them.
Keep the found pet away from your own pets - they may be sick or aggressive towards them.
Take the found pet to a shelter or vet to get scanned for a microchip - this may help identify the owners immediately.
Make a list of general information about the pet such as breed, age, size, temperament, and location found.
Take some pictures of the pet.
Use the information and the picture to make "found" ads.
Post "found" ads all over near where you found the pet as well as on Facebook or other social media and encourage your friends to "share" the information.
If no one claims the pet within a "reasonable amount of time," you may keep them or try to place them in a new home.
Turn the pet into an animal shelter as a very last resort. Research local shelters to find ones with better reputations and see if you can take them there.