Find a collie, pick it up...

cinderellacomplex

... and all day long you will have a headache from trying to locate its owner!

So there is still no news from either the vet or the police, both of whom I notified yesterday when the collie showed up at our house. We don't want to call the warden out for her as she would be taken quite far away and I'd like to avoid her having to go through the kennels experience if possible. Can anyone think of anyone else that I should notify? I have tried to put a notice up on doglost but after it uploaded my form nothing appeared so I don't know if it needs to be approved first?

Though she is a bit older, she is in good condition. She's slim as most collies should be but not worryingly and her coat is shiny and thick. She doesn't like my young girl being in her face and has 'gone for her' (fairly mildly) a couple of times, but there is a lady locally who took her last night for us and she has said that if she goes unclaimed she would be interested in keeping her (she lost her border collie a few months ago). No one locally recognizes her and the vet has said that she may very well have been dumped unfortunately. I suppose we shall have to wait and hope that someone claims her but it is good to know that she will have a home regardless.

On that point, does anyone know the procedure for her to be rehomed to this lady if we manage to avoid kennels and she is not claimed? Do we have the police sign off on it like they do with other lost property or something?

Sooz00

I think it may vary depending on the local authority where you are. But usually, if you find a stray dog or the finder of a dog wishes to hold onto it as opposed to pass it onto the Council or a rescue, it must be held for 28 days before it can be kept by the finder. The person who finds it or is fostering during this time must report it to the Local Authority in case the owner is looking for it. In some authorities, the dog warden would also carry out a home check and ensure the dog is in good health but not in others, depends how vigilant they are I guess.

And well done for helping her!

cinderellacomplex

Thanks Sooz Should I notify the local council then as well as the police? I would have thought that the police would be on the same network but maybe I am wrong in thinking that?

I wonder why it is so much longer when the dog is held privately? I think that it is still worth it to keep her out of kennels, but I wonder if I could arrange for her to go to the local border collie rescue for the seven days. Given that it is so soon after this lady lost her old dog I am concerned that she would find 28 days quite hard if she got attached but still worried that she would lose her. She is already in contact with the rescue as she has been looking for another dog so they might help out if they can. What do you think?

Sooz00

I've always wondered why it's 7 days if pound/local authority designated kennels or 28 days in private foster. It doesn't seem to make sense as if it's reported to police and local authority dog warden, they have the details on record.

The rescue kennels might be able to help if they're a designated 'taker of strays' (sorry don't know what else to call them). It would be worth a call to see what their policy is.

I would report to the council/LA warden though, just to make sure you've covered any red tape if nothing else.

cinderellacomplex

I will make a few calls tomorrow then and see what people say Thanks again.

This is her doglost page, so if anyone knows of someone in central Scotland who is missing an older collie girl then please let them know!

http://www.doglost.co.uk/dog_blog.php?dogId=27492

cally6008

I'll pass it on

cinderellacomplex

The collie is going to be looked after by a lovely lady instead of going into the pound for seven days. As such she will be held for 28 days before being transferred to this lady's ownership, however it would be possible for her owner to reclaim her for another month after that too. Quite complicated, but the lady is certain that she does not want the dog to go into kennels if it is avoidable.

snowman2_2

The police have no legal responsibility for stray dogs or road traffic accidents and it is normally a waste of time contacting them. Unless you are arrested with your dog, they don't care any more. I would always ring all the local vets and the dog/animal warden at the council, even if you want to foster the dog yourself whilst waiting. Ring the local rescue centres and try a small ad in the local rag / loot etc. Get a vet or dog warden to check for a microchip and sometimes look inside collars for writing, even if there is no tag - also useful for cats.