Why do dog catchers bring in dogs with ID tags?
Jordan S. asked:
When I went to many shelters in search of a dog. I noticed many dogs had clear ID tags on with the owners phone number and address. Why wouldn’t shelters bother contacting th owners or bring the dog back to it’s house if it had a tag? or scanninng the dog for a microchip if it didn’t have a collar?
so whats the point of collars or microchips?
Rock Bands
When I went to many shelters in search of a dog. I noticed many dogs had clear ID tags on with the owners phone number and address. Why wouldn’t shelters bother contacting th owners or bring the dog back to it’s house if it had a tag? or scanninng the dog for a microchip if it didn’t have a collar?
so whats the point of collars or microchips?
Rock Bands
I am sure that they had contacted or tried contacting the owners. Usually the owner’s would have to pay a fee to get there dog back and sometimes they just don’t have the money so they let the shelters keep them. I know it is sad.
If the dog was brought into the shelter, it was out loose. This means the owner was breaking the law in most places. The shelter does scan for a microchip and does look at the id tags. They contact the owner and let them know the dog is at the shelter. Then it’s up to the owner to come in and pay the fine and get the dog out.
Because the owners don’t follow the law and allowed the dogs to run loose. Often times the owner refuses to get the dog if there is a charge involved, which is wonderful for the dog if someone else who will take better care of them adopts.
nicole is partally right here in cleveland ohio they want to penalize owners most times owner dont have way to shelter to get dog elderly ppl especially
Well, I think lots of people don’t keep their information, address etc up to date on the tags, and the dog was illegally running. It’s up to you to find your dog if you want him back.
They are supposed to check for microchips, but it seems alot of them don’t even bother.
it probably has to do with local leash law ordinance. i agree with you, but then i am guessing that you are not a dog catcher (neither am i). perhaps they don’t have time, or personnel to make the contact. i would think that they would like to reunite owners and their pets quickly, to save resources (plus they probably can charge/fine the owner for violating the leash law). i would suggest going to your next city council meeting or whoever is over your local shelter (might be county commissioner, ect..) and asking this question. and since it seems you like animals, why not offer to volunteer at a shelter doing just what you’re asking about-reuniting pets with their families?
People sometimes abandon their dogs, like if they’re moving away. I’ve seen it, and it’s horrible, but there isn’t much the shelter can do. Shelters do scan for microchips, but, unfortunately, many people do not microchip their animals. Shelters do as much as they can to get the dog back to the original owners (after all, they don’t want more dogs), so if you see dogs in shelters with tags, you can probably assume that there are special circumstances involved. Or, it could be that the dogs have only just come in and are just waiting.
They are suppose to scan and really they are just doing their job. With the tags on them sometimes people don’t update their tags and maybe they’ve moved or changes numbers and leaving it on might help them, if the owner does call they have a identification tag so the shelter could easily identify if they have their dog.
The point of a collar/microchip is to increase the chances of getting your animal back. Animal Control is supposed to pick up all strays that are either seen running at large or called in. Most of the time they do try to contact the owners however there is a fine and you have to come get the animal. Also not everyone keeps their info up to date. Owners move and forget to change the tag or chip info therefore making it ten times more difficult to track them down.
That is a good point. Here in the UK they charge the owner a fee to collect their dog. It is trying to teach them a lesson. I agree that this is bad politics and entirely unnecessary.
Evidently if you call the appropriate ’shelter’ as in Battersea Dogs Home whilst the dog is still in the car with the Warden, the fee is less. If the dog reaches the shelter they charge you £90 providing you collect the dog within so many hours. The longer you leave it, the higher the fee.
They do not contact the owners here either and these are dirty politics in my opinion. It is possible that this may have changed, but with the introduction of the zero tolerance policy, any kindness towards Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Doe went out of the window. Shelters have a money shortage.
Sometimes, you may be lucky that your dog ends up with a local police station. They do sometimes call the owners and of course the good Samaritan neighbours are very good as are certain vets that find strays. They do scan the animals as well as look for ID tags.
So you have the same problems in USA?
The shelter I worked at would have Animal Control pick up the dog for safety reasons (if Animal Control can pick up the dog, then most likely the dog was loose and could be hit by a car!). All dogs coming in, whether tagged or not, would be held a minimum of 3 days (some places hold for 7). The animal is scanned for a chip and checked for tags and tattoos. If found, attempts are made to contact the owner. They can even use just the rabies tag (as long as it’s not completely worn out) to find the owner.
If you’re dog is missing 24 hours, I hope you’d be calling and trying to find him!
Just because you see a dog with tags doesn’t mean the owner wasn’t called or that the dog is even available for adoption yet. Sadly, a lot of owners never claim the dog (even after speaking to them on the phone). Yes, a lot of shelters charge a reclaim fee (usually $5 a day) to the owner, not to mention any fines that the city or county may charge for the animal being at large in the first place.