The following are steps you can take to reunite a lost dog that you find with their rightful owners.

Always be cautious when approaching a dog you are unfamiliar with. Be aware of the dog’s body language at all times. The following are guidelines to follow if there is no visible identification such as a collar with tags.

If a dog is on the road or highway and does not come when you call for it; shout in low, firm voice to direct the animal away from the road and contact Animal Care and Control. Do not chase the animal if it is fearful; it could likely run back into the road and be struck.

If you obtain an animal, look for any identification to contact owners, or, a Rabies tag to contact a veterinary hospital. If you are able, bring the dog to the nearest veterinary hospital to ask for a microchip scan.

Contact your local Animal Care and Control facilities and physically visit the facilities to look for your lost Pit Bull, (visit at least every 24 hours).

If you are in a neighborhood when you obtain the dog, knock on doors and ask if the dog is familiar and if they know where the dog may live

Contact the local Humane Society and Rescue organizations to see if anyone has called or posted signage for their lost dog

Check social sites for Lost Dog postings such as Next Door, Facebook and Twitter. Post the dog you’ve found on these platforms with a limited description, (stick to a generic photo, color patterns, and leave out male/female or specific details to avoid false ownership claims).  Facebook Lost and Found Charlotte

1. Post Lost dog signs with a recent picture and your contact number, in, and around your neighborhood.

If you cannot locate the owners of the dog after following all of the steps listed above and you are wanting to assist in rehoming the dog, you can contact local rescue and adoption agencies to screen potential family matches.

If you surrender a dog to a rescue and adoption agency, please consider donating to that agency and/or fostering. With the current overpopulation crisis facing the Unites States, resources are very limited and shelters and rescues are overrun with homeless animals.

Be aware that many rescue and adoption agencies are selective as to the animals that they bring into their adoption programs. Municipal shelters, such as Animal Care and Control facilities are open-door, meaning they will intake any and all animals, whereas private rescues and humane societies do not have the resources often to bring in animals that are potentially not ideal adoption candidates.

For a list of local rescues and adoption agencies, please refer to the list below “Rehoming a Dog”.