Found Dog Policy
When a found animal is turned over to VIPP, we check our spreadsheet of reported lost dogs to see if there is a match. If there is no match, we take the dog to the vet to have it checked for a micro chip, a small computer chip under the dog's skin which contains the owners' name, phone number and vet. If no chip is found, VIPP pays to have the dog examined.
VIPP volunteers then photograph the dog and make posters which are posted in the location where the dog is found. We also place a photo ad in the Beachcomber and post the photo on our website. If no one steps forward to claim the dog, we pay to spay or neuter the dog (if it isn't already). Finally, we micro chip the dog and it is ready for adoption. We keep the dog at least two weeks after its photo appears in The Beachcomber before we make it available for adoption.
All of this work, cost and despair could be eliminated and pets could be easily returned to their owners if they were wearing collars with tags and were micro chipped. Please help your dogs get home when they get lost. Put a collar on your dog with an identification tag with your name, address and phone number. Be sure to keep the information current. You will want to tag your dog even if it never goes out doors because there is always a chance that the dog can get outside accidentally.