Can You Keep a Stray Dog You Found?

In some cases, you can keep a stray dog you found, but not before reporting them to animal control and allowing time for their pet parents to find them. This dog could have a family that misses them, and the first place many owners check for their lost dog is with animal control. Follow the steps, below, before adding a stray dog to your family.

How long before a stray dog is legally yours?

It can be tempting just to give a dog you found on the street a new name, and make them part of your family. But that’s not the right thing to do—and in many places, it’s illegal. Most municipalities require (by law) that found dogs be reported to animal control and held for a period of time before they can be adopted. 

A typical holding period for dogs is five to seven days, during which pet parents have the opportunity to claim them before they are eligible for adoption or transfer. In some states, the holding period is as little as 48 hours. There may also be other local laws that dictate the next steps if you find a stray pet.

Bottom line: If you don’t report a stray to animal control, the dog may not have a chance to be reunited with their loving family.

What to do when you want to keep a stray dog

If you’ve found a stray dog, and you’re interested in keeping them, here are five steps you should take.

1. Call animal control: Contact animal control, or take the dog directly to a shelter to have their picture taken and to check for a microchip.

2. Ask about keeping the dog: When you call animal control, make it known that you’re willing to keep the pet until the owner is located and that you’re interested in adopting them if they are not claimed. Some shelters may allow you to care for the animal while giving the owners a chance to come forward.

3. Get added to the priority list: Some locations require the dog to stay at a shelter during the holding period, but they will allow you to be first on the list of potential adopters should the owners not be found. Be sure animal control knows you’re willing to take the dog to your vet and pay for the bills.

4. Check-in regularly with the shelter: If the dog is being held at the shelter, check back often to see whether the owner has been found and keep track of the holding date.

5. Act fast once they’re available for adoption: Once the hold-end date passes, you will only have priority over adopting the dog for a certain amount of time, so don’t miss your opportunity.

Even if you fall head-over-heels in love, it’s important to give the dog a chance to reunite with their owners before you make them part of your family. Going about it the right way is better for the dog and, in the long run, for you as well.