Can I keep a dog if I found it?

It can be tempting to just give the pet a new name and make him part of your family, but that’s not the right thing to do—and in most places, it’s illegal. Most municipalities require that found dogs be reported to animal control and may have other laws about what must happen if you find a stray pet.

What will you do if you happened to find a dog?

If you are able to transport the animal, take them to the nearest animal shelter. If you plan to keep the animal in the event no owner is found, notify animal control that you have the animal or that you have taken them to a veterinary hospital for treatment.

Can I legally keep a dog I found in Texas?

Dogs and other companion animals are considered the personal property of their owners. Thus, the short legal answer to the question above provides that if a rightful owner finds his or her dog, he or she then can assert ownership.

How does the law define ownership of a dog?

You view your pet as a member of the family, maybe even your best friend, but animal law views them as personal property. This means you may need proof of legal ownership. Proof of ownership can be as simple as your adoption record from the local shelter or as complex as the AKC registration record.

Can someone who gave me a dog take it back?

Answer. People who give away or sell their animal generally have no further legal rights to that animal. The person who adopted the animal or purchased the animal does not typically have to return the animal unless there was an agreement that stated otherwise.

How do you know if a dog is abandoned?

Most veterinarian clinics and animal shelters have a microchip scanner that can be used to instantly determine if the abandoned dog has a microchip. If the dog has a microchip, it’s likely they’re lost rather than abandoned, and the information attached to the microchip will allow the authorities to locate the owner.

What to do when you find an abandoned puppy?

Contact your local animal control or shelters who can help. Take the mama dog and her litter to an animal shelter. If the puppies’ mother returns, you can attempt to take her and her pups to a local animal shelter only if she appears to be friendly. Otherwise, it is safest to contact your local animal control services.

What happens to dogs when they don’t get adopted?

Those dogs just don’t get adopted. If your dog doesn’t get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn’t full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed, it may get a stay of execution, though not for long.