NOTE: We are unable to currently take in found Dalmatians at this time due to personal reasons. Please go over these suggestions for other options. Thank you!
If after you read this and still want to give up the dog please fill out the Surrender Form. If URGENT (i.e. you want us to take the dog within 24 hrs. of contacting us) call us at 602.926.8153 and leave a message. We will get back to you ASAP. NOTE: We only accept purebred Dalmatians at this time. You will need to email a picture of the found dog to swdalrescue@gmail.com. We have had quite a few people contact us about taking a dog they found, identifying it as purebred, only for us to find out it is actually a mix, or not even a Dalmatian at all, once we are there to pick the dog up. We appreciate your cooperation.
1) Check for ID - look for a collar tag. If the dog has a license, call the county or organization that issued the license, they will put you in contact with the owner. If there is no tag, have the dog scanned for a microchip. This can be done at any shelter or vet's office, including emergency vet clinics.
2) Walk around your neighborhood - most pets are found close to home and your neighbors may be out looking for their pet. Knock on doors near where the dog was found to see if anyone recognizes the dog.
3) If at all possible, keep the pet at your home or find a neighbor to keep it. Most likely his home is nearby and much easier for everyone involved. Also at a shelter the pet will be exposed to diseases and may become ill. If you can keep the dog temporarily but would like us to help you find a home for the Dalmatian in the event the owners are not found, please contact us so we will have advanced warning that the dog may need a placement and can evaluate the dog for acceptance into rescue. Be advised that we can only consider taking in dogs that are purebred Dalmatians.
4) If it is not possible for you to keep the pet at your home and you are sure it is a purebred Dalmatian, please contact us ASAP as we will try as hard as wel can to help, depending on available space. If we are not available or have no room, or if the pet is not a purebred Dal, take the dog to one of the Maricopa County shelters or the Humane Society (listed below) or call them to come pick up the pet. Note the impound number. If the dog is a Dal contact us and let us know the impound information, and we will monitor the dog and ensure it does not get put to sleep.
5) Put up flyers near where the pet was found with a description of the pet. Be sure to leave out some identifying characteristic (such as the collar color, breed, etc.) so that you can positively identify whether the dog truly belongs to the callers or not. Do not include a photo. Also place a poster at the Humane Society and both county shelters. Look for LOST posters.
6) Place a FOUND ad in the Arizona Republic (number below). FOUND ads are free. Also browse the LOST ads.
7) Contact Petfinders, Missing Mutts, and the Humane Society to list the found dog with them. Their contact information is posted below.
8) If the owner comes forward, please ask them to license their dog and get them an ID collar. 90% of pets found with ID make their way home, as opposed to only 10% of pets without ID.
9) If an owner is not found in six days, the dog legally belongs to you. You may keep the dog, turn him over to a rescue, find a home for it on your own, or turn him into a shelter. If it is a purebred Dalmatian and you don't wish to keep it, contact us to come evaluate the dog.
If you have lost a Dalmatian:
1) Walk or drive around your neighborhood calling your pet. Someone may have seen it or know if someone found it.
2) If your pet has a county license, call them to make sure that your contact information is current. If your pet has a microchip, call the company to ensure that your registration information is current so if someone finds your Dal they will be able to contact you.
3) Put up posters including a description of your lost pet around your neighborhood. Include a photo if possible. Put up posters in vets offices and supermarkets, and at both county shelters and the Humane Society.
4) Visit each of the two Maricopa County shelters and the Humane Society every two days. Keep checking, as it may take several days or weeks for your pet to be found. If it is totally impossible for you to check the shelter, you can call them, but often they misidentify the breed of your pet and may not be able to tell over the phone if your pet is there. Although they will call you if they can identify your pet, don't count on tags or a microchip. Your Dalmatian may have lost her collar and microchip scans are not 100 percent accurate. To ensure your pet is not euthanized, you must physically check both shelters every two days.
5) Place a LOST ad in the newspaper and call on any found ads that seem similar. Keep in mind a pet may wander far from home when lost, and finders may not know the correct breed of your pet, so call on any ads that seem even close.
6) Call Missing Mutts and Petfinders to list your dog.
7) Contact the emergency veterinary clinic near your home. If the dog was hit by a car or injured, it could be taken there.
8) Don't contact us to see if we have your Dalmatian. We only take in strays after the six days have gone by and they are legally in rescue. If we do have your dog and they are legally ours you will be required to go through the adoption process like everyone else.
9) When you find your Dal, have him microchipped and keep a collar with ID on her at all times to ensure this problem does not happen again.
Contact Information:
Maricopa County Rabies Animal Control
602-506-PETS
Southeast
2630 W. 8th Street
Mesa, Arizona 85201
Durango
2323 S. 35th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85009
Arizona Humane Society
9226 North 13th Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona
(just south of Hatcher Road)
(602) 997-7585
Missing Mutts (480) 898-8914
Arizona Pet Line (602) 252-2727
Arizona Republic Classified Adds (602) 444-2424 (Found Ads are free)