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Date Published: 08/09/2023

What to do if you find an abandoned dog in Spain

Spain is the leading European country in animal abandonment

Animal abandonment is a growing problem in Spain and last year, rescuers and shelters picked up 288,457 dogs and cats from the streets – that’s 790 dumped pets each day and doesn’t even include other discarded animals like rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets. Sadly, Spain is now the leading country in Europe for animal abandonment.

What’s even more heartbreaking is that, according to the Affinity Foundation, only 21% of lost dogs are ever reunited with their families.

The introduction of the Animal Welfare Law next month should go a long way to improving these statistics. A key piece of legislation will require all owners to register their pets on a central database so that if a dog is found on the streets, it will be easier to track down its humans.

Steps to follow if you find a dog alone

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master in Ethology Gabriella Tami has given her tips on the steps to follow if a dog appears to be abandoned or lost, starting with the correct way to approach the animal.

"If the dog looks healthy and does not show an aggressive attitude, we can try to get closer," she explains.

"An abandoned or lost dog is disoriented, it can be easily frightened and run away if we try to approach it abruptly or directly. For this reason, it is important to do it little by little and avoiding sudden movements."

During these scorching summer months, it’s also a good idea to offer the dog some water, since this will help gain its trust.

The expert recommends using soft tones and avoiding speaking in a loud voice than could be misconstrued as threatening: "If we have food, we can use it to relax the dog," she adds.

"Instead of attracting him towards us, it is better to throw food far away so that the dog gets closer as he gains confidence."

However, if the animal appears sick or injured, or shows any signs of aggression, it’s best to call the Local Police, who are responsible for managing the collection of lost or abandoned dogs.

What to do once you have caught the dog

Of course, if the dog has a name tag on its collar it should be a simple matter of calling the owner and keeping the animal safe until they come to collect it. This is the best-case scenario.

"Today there are modern plates where you will not find a phone number but a QR code that we can scan with our smartphone and access the owner's information," adds Tami.

"Also, knocking on the door of someone in the area and asking if they know the dog may be the quickest way to resolve the situation."

Another option would be taking the dog to a vet to see if it is microchipped but if it is not, the next step must be to contact the Local Police, Guardia Civil or City Council, who will take over from here.

If it is clear that the dog has been abandoned rather than lost, the local authorities will arrange for a local animal shelter to take it in.

Unfortunately, most rescue centres are bursting at the seams with unwanted animals this summer so the expert suggests that some kind-hearted souls may be able to take the pressure off and look after the abandoned dog themselves.

"We can temporarily take charge of the dog while we spread the news that we have found it or we can also help it find a new home through posters in veterinary clinics or posts on social networks," says the vet.

"We may even offer to adopt him."

Images: Freepik

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