The refuge was much less busy today, and we can’t blame the weather, as for most of the day it was absolutely fabulous. And then all of a sudden it wasn’t! The heavens opened and the temperature dropped.
Two dogs arrived, and both of them are probably happy to be under cover tonight. First to arrive was an elderly German Shepherd who was found on the railway line. Poor boy must have been terrified. Then a young female labrador was brought in after having been found in a nearby village. We will try and get pictures of them tomorrow and try to track down their owners.
On the subject of tracking people down, if you find a dog you are legally (as well as morally) obliged to take all reasonable steps to reunite him with his owners. You cannot decide that you like him and are simply going to keep him or give him away. You may want to adopt him, but you must let the local pound know that the dog is in your care, and only after ten days can the dog be identified in your name.
My number four dog, Nero, was abandoned in my garden just before Christmas 2010. He was not identified but I put up posters everywhere as well as informing the SPA that he was at my house pending rehoming. Okay, he never left, but that was never the intention, I am just a softie. Had I found his owners I would have let him go back to them. It is never up to an individual to decide the fate of a dog without at least giving the owners a chance to find their dog.
Try to put yourself in the owners place and imagine how you would feel if it were your dog that was missing.
Another reason why identifying your dog is a must!
On a brighter note, look at who we have here? Atlas (now Sam) was adopted in June after a very long time at the SPA. Now look at him all happy! Thanks for the news, Jennie and Linda. We love hearing how our dogs are getting on in their new homes, be it days months or even years after they were adopted!
Have you seen this dog? His owner is very worried about him.