09/01/2026
When it comes to a FOUND PET it doesn't matter what you think!
It doesn't matter if you think it's a stray.
It doesn't matter if you think it's not loved because it was outside.
It doesn't matter if you think it was neglected because it's hair or nails were a little too long.
It doesn't matter if you think you deserve to keep it because you'll give it a "better" home.
It doesn't matter if you think just because it was outside it doesn't deserve to go home.
It doesn't matter if you think it doesn't have someone waiting at home for any word or sign that their pet is making their way back to them and this hell they're in will soon end.
It doesn't matter if you think that it didn't get out of a gate.
It doesn't matter if you think that it wasn't stressed out extra noise in the home and it got out the door.
It doesn't matter if you think that it didn't get out when the fireworks went off.
It doesn't matter if you think that it wasn't a rescue pet who was just transported hundreds of miles away to settle in with a new foster or owner.
It doesn't matter if you don't understand that animals lack logic and sometimes escape their home, no matter how much they love their owners.
It doesn't matter if you don't know that some animals will get out once in their lifetime and some animals will never look to escape their home.
It doesn't matter if you're ignorant of that.
It doesn't matter if you think you should keep them.
It doesn't matter. Because you can't.
You can't keep a found pet.
You can't rehome a found pet.
Found pets have legal owners.
It's against the law to keep or rehome a found pet.
It is the law to notify Police who work with Animal Control who contract with one specific animal shelter to house a found pet and put it on a seven day stray hold.
In ALL states.
After seven days, if no owner comes forward, it can legally be adopted out.
Even to you.
You don't get to keep an animal just because you found it.
I have personally worked with so many distraught pet owners who have had the misfortune of a pet getting out.
Lost animals are in fight or flight mode which can explain a lot of the behavior or the condition an animal is in when you find it.
Some animals are out for several weeks or months before they are found.
Owners look everywhere.
Owners knock on doors and speak to people.
Owners call police, animal control, animal shelters and veterinarians.
Owners cover so much ground on foot distributing and posting flyers.
Some owners post on social media.
Some owners think their pet is gone forever because they can't find it.
Some owners think that they will come home on their own.
Some owners don't know the right steps to take.
All of the these owners love their lost pet.
All are gutted because their pet is not home right next to them right now.
All of these owners will lose sleep.
Some stay up all night listening and waiting for their Pet to come home.
Some set an alarm for 4:00 in the morning to put out food for their lost pet, or set a cat trap.
Some follow up every lead they're given no matter how far away even if it defies logic.
Some can't stop crying.
Some get into a depressed state.
Some are taken advantage of by scammers, which actually holds up the process of finding their lost pet.
Some keep looking until they're exhausted and have burned themselves out.
It doesn't matter what you think.
What ONLY matters is getting these pets home to their rightful and legal owners.
If you are not going to follow the law and follow the protocol for a found Pet then don't even pick it up and put it into your car.
You can't say you love animals if you are doing the one thing that prevents them from getting back home to the only home that they've ever known.
Back to the only people they've ever known.
Back to the people they have developed a relationship and bond with.
Back to the people for whom they sit by the front door, waiting for them at the end of the workday.
Back to the people they sleep in the bed with.
Back to the people they wag their tail for.
Back to the people who have nurtured them for years and their lifetime.
Back to the people they love.
It doesn't matter what you think...
K.R.
Original work of author.
Do not copy without crediting author.
