When you see a stray dog, how do you usually react? If you have a strong urge to pick it up and take it to your home right away, fight it until you do the following things first:

1. Approach them safely.
   Stray dogs that have been separated from their owners and homes are usually frightened which may cause them to behave aggressively or to run away. Use a soft soothing voice to get them to feel comfortable around you. Having an animal rescue kit in your car will surely help a lot in these situations.

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2. Check for identification and injuries.
   Check for tags and collars that give information about their owner. If they are not wearing one, try to look around nearby, you might find their collar lying around or their owner looking for them. If they are injured, take them to a vet.

3. Take them to the shelter.
   If there is no identification, or it seems that the dog looks neglected or abused, it’s better to take them to the shelter instead of returning them to the owner. They may ask you to file a “found dog” report. The shelter should scan the dog for a microchip ID and conduct a health screening.

4. Let people know.
   Post photos online or post posters of the found dog to help find their owner.

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5. Wait for someone to claim the dog.
   Depending on where you are, you may be given the option to take the dog home with you and wait for the owners to contact you. In some areas, the dog will have to stay with the local shelter until they can be adopted.

When it comes to handling someone else’s dog, always be mindful. Depending on where you are, you may become liable for theft if you take a stray dog home without filing the necessary reports. So be cautious and make sure to do the aforementioned steps.

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