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"I just found the most beautiful, friendly dog...and there is NO way I am taking him to the pound!"

Siberian huskies love to roam. Given the opportunity, they will follow their nose for great distances (some have been found several states away from their original location) until they are simply too far to return home. They end up in someone's front yard, bouncing with joy when that person greets them. The individual usually brings the dog inside, then is not sure what to do with him. Well meaning people advise, "If you take him to the pound, they will just put him to sleep". Someone suggests, "Why don't you call a Rescue?"

Sounds like the perfect solution, right?

Rescues, like all shelters, must take great care to ensure that if this dog has an owner, that owner has the opportunity to reclaim their dog. This is called due diligence. Considered by the courts as having a bit more expertise and knowledge then the average person, rescue organizations must go to even greater lengths to locate the dog's owner then you would be. Most simply do not have the time required to do this.

In addition, most people who have lost their dog will check with the shelters first.

So, here are some steps you can take should you find a Siberian husky:

1. Check for a microchip

Most dogs are microchipped these days. Hopefully, the dog you found has been microchipped and the information has been kept current. You can take the dog to your own vet to be scanned. Sometimes it takes a couple of scans to locate the chip if the chip has migrated; most are located at the top of the neck, between the dog's shoulders.

2. Check with the Lost & Found groups

Here are just a few:

www.doggiedetective.com
www.missingpet.net
www.missingpets.com
www.lostpaws.com
www.lostandfoundpet.com
www.sherlockbones.com
www.pets.lostandfound.com
www.k9alert.com
(888) 85FOUND

3. Take the dog to your local shelter

Tell the shelter that you would like to be notified should the owner not claim the dog. Be sure to get the impound number of the dog before you leave. Check with the shelter daily-do not wait for them to contact you. If the dog is not claimed and is placed for adoption, you then have the option of adopting the dog yourself. Most shelters do network with the various breed rescues in their area. In addition, most breed rescues have volunteers who will check the various shelters for available dogs. That being said, rescue groups have very limited space and funds and must work within those parameters. Sadly, sometimes there just is not enough room for even one more dog.

4. Become a foster

If you find that the rescue groups are full, offer to become a foster for the dog until he can be placed. Most rescue groups pay for food and medical expenses while you provide a temporary home for the dog.

5. Finally, donate to your favorite rescue organization!

Rescue groups rely on funding through donations from the public. Most never have enough money and many times volunteers end up paying from their own pocket. Rescues do this for the love of the dog, not for profit. Make sure the group you donate to is a 501c3 organization. Remember, donations are tax deductible!