Hi all

I was adopted for the afternoon by a lovely Collie x type dog. He arrived this afternoon about 2ish. I never really took much notice as there was a whole bunch of kids playing outside and I assumed he must of belonged to one of them. Anyway all the kids disapeared to their respective homes and I was telling my kids to come in for dinner when I noticed this lovely boy still hanging around. I thought it was kind of strange and decided that I would stick a collar and lead on him and take him round to see if I could find his owner. After much searching I decided I would have to contact the local police and ask what to do with him as the nearest SSPCA place is about 50 miles away from where I live.
My daugters were quite intent that we should keep him as they were very impressed at how well trained he was, sitting, giving paws, lying down and even rolling over. So I took him to the police station where I was told that if I wanted to keep him that was fine and that if they had any enquires about him they would pass them on to me. I had to break the kids hearts and say no as I don't have the facilities to keep a dog with my three girls. I just wondered if this was normal practice and shouldn't dog who was in good condition and obviously well trained have been taken to see if it had been Micro-chipped or anything like that? I was told he would go to the a kennels and be put up for re-homing, I was so sad to see this boy's face as I left and really wished I could have done more for him.
Alli

Most police stations don't have the facilities to keep a dog nowadays, and they get taken to kennels. The law in England used to be that they had to be kept for 7 days before they were put up for rehoming. I would contact all the vets' surgeries in your area to see if his owners are searching for him, so they know where to find him before he's lost to them forever. :(

We picked up the most gorgeus VERY large male Rottie last year. Took him to the police station who told us his name was A**(just in case his owners are on here :S), and he was forever getting out. Just take him back to near G**** street and let him out :0 (meant to be shocked face)Mmmmmmmmmmmm I wouldnt do that at all, let alone in a Marked company vehicle!!!!! Dad ended up making them ring the vets and we took it to there until they could get in touch with the owner.
If I found him wandering again, I think the dog napping fairy would whisk him away!!!!!!
The police kennel where they are normally kept had been wrecked (I think by A** before as he doesnt like being tied up or confined so we were told)
From all the stories I have heard on here, If I found a stray dog,once ringing round to find out if anyone had reported it missing, I would be tempted to take it to the vets to get it checked out for a micro chip BEFORE getting in touch with anyone to come and pick it up. That way I Would be sure it had been checked for microchips.
Lea :)

Lea,
I find this quite worrying. I was under the impression that if a dog had been found wandering around that it would automatically be scanned first to see if it could be returned to its right owner? If this is not the case then why have them micro chipped in the first place? In actuall fact one of our boys has got 2 chips in him because his first one migrated around to the front just above his leg and we were so concerned that it would not be picked up should he need to be scanned, as the person scanning would only swipe over the neck/ backline of our dog. We also have both our boys on a pet register, but if automatic scanning does not take place is this to a waste of time? I would be interrested to know if anyone can tell me, Thanks.

I was surprised to learn that if a dog was scanned at a vets by anyone other than a vet the BVA state that the owner must  NOT be informed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In this area it seems that if lost pets are taken to the vet they are scanned (certainly by ours) but not all the rescues have scanners! Even the RSPCA branch didn't have one till out vet donated a spare! :rolleyes: Chips are only any good if the animal is correctly scanned, so it's better than nothing, but no guarantee. :(

Jeangenie,
Its a bit of a worry isn't it, dont you think? Surley if all these orginisations, police included, invested in a scanner then it would in the long run pay for itself with regards to the amount of dogs returned to their rightfull owners, rather than the centres then having to pay out more to kennel, rehome or even destroy unclaimed dogs.

I think it's terrifying! At least I think now all brands of chip can be read by all scanners (though I'm not God ;) and am not certain on that - anyone know for sure?) - originally each brand could only be read by its own make of scanner, and vets, councils (yeah right) etc had to have several different types, which is why most didn't bother - too expensive. The good old-fashioned collar and tag is the best, with tattoo (visible to the naked eye, though kennels often can't be bothered to make a phonecall) and microchip as fall-back methods.

Jeangenie - I believe you are right in saying that all chips and scanners are now compatible.  Whenever we have a stray handed in it is automatically scanned, and if someone rings to say they have found a stray I always ask them to bring it in to be scanned.

With cats and small dogs it would be quite rare to miss a chip as I scan them pretty thoroughly - unfortunately not everyone implants between the shoulderblades and instead shove them in the scruff.

However with larger dogs a chip could be missed if it has migrated.  I agree with you that the "belt and braces" approach is best, and a microchip should not be considered a substitute for a collar with tag.  I don't have my whippet tattooed - I never even thought about it, but I don't think I could have it done now, and I know it's silly but I don't like the thought of marking his little rose ears!

There's no upper age limit on tattooing (one of mine was tattooed at 2 1/2 along with her litter, and wagged her tail throughout), but it is entirely a personal choice, in this country at least!
:)

Ditto Jeangenie, I had my Boxer bitch done at 3yo same time as her litter was done
and although she's normally a wimp with her ears, she didn't even flinch.

Hiya

As far as I am aware the local kennels scanned this boy and there was no chip or anything to identify him. He is now awaiting a new home. On the upside tho I have a friend who is going to visit him tomorrow as she recently lost her old boy and had thought about buying a new puppy. So everything crossed this boy will have a lovely new home as soon as possible. There was also an artical in my local paper this week about an older couple who lost there wee dog. They actually called the police and they were told that their dog hadn't been reported as found, they asked if they could have a look in the police kennels anyway in case, and low and behold their dog was there awaiting the journey to the rescue kennels.

Alli

Ive heard this sad story quite a few times; owners are told their dog is not found and yet the dog is there in kennels !!! It's a terrible state of affairs.

Lindsay
X

Our local police station pretty much has the same rules, i years ago took in a Lab that i found took her to the police station, did say that if no-one came forward that i would take her, the police just told me to take her home there and then, and if they had any reports of her being missing that they would put the people in question in touch with me.  No one ever claimed her, and she turned out to be the most loyal true friend that i have ever had to date, she passed away three years ago :(