Are you considering taking in a stray dog? It may be exciting to imagine how they’ll become part of your loving family—perhaps you’ll even save the animal’s life. But, you should also know that adopting a stray dog comes with various challenges. They might feel scared or not be used to living with people. The majority of abandoned, homeless, or lost dogs require additional love, patience, and care. You can find out if you’re ready, legal considerations, what to do first, and where to get help in our guide.
Can I Legally Adopt a Stray Dog?
There are three things you’ll need to do before you’re allowed to adopt or keep a stray dog in the USA: make a solid attempt to find the owner, report the stray to various authorities, and observe a waiting time set by your local legislation.
1. Try to Find the Owner
Just because a dog is walking the streets, doesn’t mean it doesn’t already have a home. It may be lost or allowed to roam. Statistics provided by the ASPCA show that about 810,000 animals are reconciled with their owners after entering shelters as strays. 710,000 of them are dogs and 100,000 are cats. So, you’ll need to make a concerted effort to find its owner before you can claim it as your own.
- Does the dog have a collar? Looking for tags with contact information or check for other signs that they might belong to someone.
- Ask your neighbors if it’s their dog. Sometimes pets wander farther than expected, but a quick neighborhood check might reunite them with their family.
- Take a few photos of the dog and post them on social media or community boards. Attach a note asking if someone recognizes the animal.
2. Report the Animal as a Stray
Assuming no immediate success in reuniting the dog with an owner, you must report the stray to various establishments:
- City clerk’s office
- Local TV and radio stations
- Police agencies
- Veterinarian offices
- Animal control officers
- Animal shelters (they often have reports of missing dogs in the area or can offer tools to scan for a microchip)
- Local rescue shelters
- Dog daycares
- Boarding establishments
Your local vets, boarding facilities, and city clerks will try to use medical or registration information to track down the owners.
3. Obey the Waiting Period
Until a waiting period set by state or local legislation has passed, you are not legally the dog’s owner. To find out how long before you can legally adopt a stray dog, Google “How long before a stray dog is legally yours in California?” (replacing “California” with your state).
Are You Ready for the Responsibility of Adopting a Stray Dog?
Let’s say you’ve followed all the processes for your home state or jurisdiction (reporting the dog as a stray and waiting out the time required to adopt legally). The next step is to ask yourself whether you’re ready to offer the dog a home.
Caring for any dog is a big job. They all need food, training, and regular trips to the vet. But dogs that wander the streets usually come with greater responsibility—they’ll need more of your attention, time, love, and money.
Do you have enough time for this?
Dogs need a routine, plenty of attention, and mental stimulation. Your pup will crave daily walks, playtime, plus social interaction with other dogs.
Can you afford the vet bills and other expenses?
Even if you’re fortunate enough to find free or low-cost services for vaccines and spaying/neutering, ongoing care and emergencies can quickly add up. Pawlicy Advisor helps people find quality pet insurance for rescue dogs.
Are you ready to care for them for years?
The average dog’s lifespan is 10–15 years. Just like having a baby, adopting a stray dog means a long-term commitment.
If you’ve thought about these things and you’re still ready, adopting a stray dog might be the right choice for you.
How to Approach a Nervous Stray Dog?
Some strays have gentle and kind temperaments. But others might be scared or act out because they’ve endured bad experiences over their lifetimes.
- Watch how they act around you. Do they seem relaxed, or do they cower and avoid eye contact? Fearful behavior isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s something to consider.
- If they growl or seem aggressive, they might need professional help. A dog trainer or behaviorist can guide you if you commit to helping an anxious or reactive dog.
As a simple test, sit quietly near the dog and let them approach you. If they sniff you or wag their tail, it can signal they might be ready to trust you.
What to Do After Adopting a Stray Dog
Taking a stray home may feel exciting, but there are some more important steps to follow. You’ll need to get them a preliminary check-up at the vet, microchip and register them, and help the dog get acclimatized to their new home.
Visit the Vet
This is the first thing you need to do. A vet will:
- Check the dog’s health. They’ll look for signs of injuries, illnesses, or malnutrition.
- Give vaccines to keep them safe from diseases (like rabies or parvovirus).
- Treat fleas, worms, or other problems.
- Spay or neuter the dog (important so they can’t have puppies).
Even if the animal seems relatively healthy, a vet visit is necessary to catch any hidden issues. Remember, dogs can’t tell us when they’re in pain or sick.
You can find affordable vet services at places like:
- Pet Help Finder: www.pethelpfinder.org – click on “Veterinary Services,” enter your location and click “Search.”
- ASPCA: www.aspca.org – affordable pet care nationwide.
- PetSmart Charities: www.petsmartcharities.org – connects you with local shelters and offers resources for pet care, adoption, and support.
Many local shelters or clinics host “vaccination days” with discounted rates. It’s worth checking their websites for events.
Get a Microchip
A microchip is simply a name tag the vet puts inside the dog. It helps vets or shelters locate you if the dog ever gets lost.
You can register the microchip online with:
- HomeAgain: www.homeagain.com
- AKC Reunite: www.akcreunite.org
Fun fact: Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and last for your dog’s lifetime!
Get a License
Many cities in the U.S. require dogs to be officially registered. It’s one way to prove they’ve had their rabies vaccine. Think of a license as your dog’s official ID—it shows they’re part of your community and under your care.
- Google “[your city] dog license” to find out how to get one.
Get the Dog Settled
When you home a dog from the streets, they may feel timid, nervous, or over-excited. It’s important to make sure they have a quiet place just for them.
- Invest in a comfortable pet bed, and pop a food and water bowl nearby. Giving them a cozy blanket or an old shirt with your scent is a terrific way to make them feel safe.
- Keep the area free of busy foot traffic, so they don’t feel overwhelmed. Putting a crate or bed in a busy kitchen or living room is probably not the best idea at first.
- Let them rest and investigate these strange new surroundings at their own pace.
This process is like welcoming a guest into your home. You’d want to make them feel comfortable, not bombard them with too much at once.
Start with Basic Training
Most stray dogs have no idea how to behave well in a home. They will probably not be familiar with commands like “sit” or “stay.”
- Start small: Teach one command at a time. Use treats and a happy voice to reward them.
- Show them where to go potty and praise them when they get it right.
- Be patient. Learning takes time!
Picture this approach as teaching a child their first words. Encouragement and repetition will be your key to progress!
Helpful Resources
Please remember that you don’t have to figure this out alone! When adopting a stray dog there are plenty of places to get help and support. One of the best resources is the Humane Society, where you can learn how best to care for stray dogs.
Dog Training Tips
- Submit a question to Adrienne Farricelli, Your Pets at Home’s certified professional dog trainer and canine behavior consultant.
- Google “how to train a rescued dog” or “basic dog commands.”
- Websites like www.clickertraining.com have easy guides.
- For more tips, see our article 10 Basic Dog Training Tips for Beginners to Master.
Local Animal Shelters
- Search “[your city] animal shelter” for local help. Shelters often give advice on adoption and training.
Final Thoughts
Although adopting a stray dog is a big deal, with plenty to do and remember, it might also be the best thing you ever do. You’re giving an animal a new life, filled with love and care. It won’t always be easy. They’ll need time to feel safe (and you’ll need to be very patient).
Start with small steps. Take them to the vet. Make them a safe, quiet area in your home. Teach them simple rules. Use the resources we’ve shared if you get stuck. Most of all, remember this: you’re not just giving a dog a home. You’re giving them a family—and they’ll never forget that.
