Lost Dog Or Cat In The Neighborhood? Here's What To Do: Block Talk

Even the most responsible owners can briefly lose track of their dogs, and the most kind and neighborly thing to do is to try to find the owner and take care of the pooch until they arrive to fetch it.

But that’s not always possible. There are alternatives to calling the pound, but there are instances when that’s the only reasonable choice.

That’s according to the results of our latest informal survey for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column. We asked readers what they’d do if they found a lost dog or cat.

Morristown (New Jersey) Patch reader CT thinks it’s a pity the question even had to be asked.

“As a society, we need to get to know our neighbors and have each other’s backs,” CT said. “The fact that you have to ask about this and take a survey is a sign of what our society has become. It’s very sad.”

If Dogs ‘Houdini Out,’ Do This

“These situations are where common sense comes into play. If someone isn’t comfortable approaching an animal they don’t know, that’s a completely valid response,” said Woodbury (Minnesota) Patch reader Junie.

How Junie responds depends on whether she knows the dog and how friendly it appears to be.

“If it’s one of my neighbors’ dogs, I would feel comfortable putting it back in their yard and just shooting them a text letting them know their dog got out,” she said. “If I don’t know the dog and it is friendly enough for me to get a look at the tag, I would just reach out to the owner to see what they want me to do. I don’t mind holding a friendly dog in my backyard if needed.”

If she can’t get close enough to check for a tag, Junie typically snaps a photo with her phone and posts it to neighborhood social media sites.

“If there’s no tag and I have no clue whose dog it is, the friendliness of it determines what I’ll do next — either take it to a vet to scan for a chip or call animal control to pick it up,” she said.

That said, Junie doesn’t have “a lot of tolerance” for people whose pets consistently escape.

“Your pet is your responsibility, and keeping them on your property is part of that,” she said. “I’ve had dogs for almost 14 years and never once have I had my dog get loose. If I did have one who decided to Houdini out of my yard, my next step would be behavioral training with a professional.”

“We pet lovers have to realize not everybody feels the way we do and take responsibility for our pets,” said Gabrielle, a Glen Ellyn (Illinois) Patch reader.

Gabrielle is a good neighbor. She walks the dog home, but if no one is around, she leaves a message and tells the owner where to find the pooch.

“I don’t want the owner to not know that the dog can escape,” she said. “I encourage the owner to keep their pet at home where it belongs, but there are still a few people who, unfortunately, just don’t get it.”

Don’t use others’ negligence as an excuse, said Norwalk (Connecticut) Patch reader Silkybird

“We need to be very careful to check gates after workers leave. They don’t always remember. Our animals, our responsibility,” Silkybird said. “It takes two minutes to check, or you could have a devastating event.”

‘I Don’t Trust Dogs’

An animal may make the decision for you with its behavior.

“If it’s an aggressive dog, don’t approach it and call police,” said Downers Grove (Illinois) Patch reader Sarah.

Mellon’s first instinct in the lost dog scenario was to call local police, whose jobs overlap with animal control duties, before having a change of heart.

“Now that I think about it, unless it was on a busy road, I don’t think I would do anything,” the Patch reader said. “I don’t trust dogs and would never get involved. I don’t trust getting involved. People don’t seem to have manners anymore and can become quite volatile.”

Mellon has tried the friendly approach but got nowhere.

“I have a neighbor with two cats that is killing birds, baby bunnies, peeing on my house and neighbors’ houses, and making a mess,” Mellon said. “Talking with this person is useless on every topic. They have no respect for others and don’t see this as an issue, even when reminded there is an ordinance.”

Mellon added, “I have three indoor cats. I love them too much to risk their lives outdoors. I have a deck I enclosed for them to be out and safe.”

Cats Just Being Cats

Cats that wander in and out of their homes are fixtures in many neighborhoods.

“Some cats are just roamers,” said ACL, a Westfield (New Jersey) Patch reader. “I would just let it be.”

“We see a few cats on patrol, passing through our yard, most days,” said Burlington (New Jersey) Patch reader Bill. “We do not put out food, water, or treats; we do not want to steal the cat, or its affection, from its owner — although we did that once with very good results, for all.”

“Cats are cats,” said Across America Patch reader Trish.

TB, who reads Nashua (New Hampshire) Patch and Across America Patch, uses dog and cat repellent around flower garden perimeters.

“Smells nasty but works great. It keeps my sanity,” TB said, adding, “I wish cat owners would be more responsible.”

“I will never feel badly about taking someone’s cat that they willingly allow to roam outside, knowing the dangers it can face, to the shelter,” said Lauren, a Huntington (New York) Patch reader. “It is completely irresponsible and one of the risks the owner takes by being reckless.”

‘People Are Disappointingly Stupid’

Kathy, who reads Annapolis (Maryland) Patch as well as Gambrills Patch AM, said dogs sometimes have good reasons for running.

“If the dog is a repeat offender, there may be a reason they are leaving home,” she said. “Observe for neglect, and if signs are visible, I would not return the dog to the owner.”

She added, “In my opinion, animal abuse penalties are not nearly high enough or long enough to thwart the people abusing the animals.”

Some people do not deserve pets, another reader said.

“I do not understand why people let cats out to roam, and why people just dump their pets when they decide they don’t want them any longer. It is heartless and cruel,” said Jo, a Lawrence (New Jersey) Patch reader.

“People are disappointingly stupid,” Jo said. “They at least could take the pet to a shelter or see if a friend would take it.”

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with Block Talk as the subject line.

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