We just found a Shitzu dog,seems to be abandoned...Need some advice!

[OTheShame]

Am in Ireland and have googled what to do when you find a dog. Howeve, the rescue shelter cant get him for a few days and the other shelter says they put down the dog in 5 days if not claimed. I sont want that to happen but we cant keep the dog long term (Landlord says no pets, out of the house all day)..

Im happy to hold on to him for the few days but we have never had a dog and dont know what to do with him!!! He is stinking but we are afraid to wash him in case he gets frightened (though he is freindly) We bout som efood and gave some water. We set up a basket thing in the kitchen...However (and sorry to be silly) what happens when he needs to wee? Can I wash him? Where will I keep him? Any advice would be great!!

[DogsBestFriend]

Give Bernie Wright a call if you have any trouble placing him in a rescue - she's a rescuer and animal rights activist in Dublin and she will help or put you on to those who can. She should be on 0872651720 or email: [email protected]

Bernie is fantastic, a complete star. :)

I'm in England but used to get dogs out of Irish pounds and into English rescue... sadly your stray dog situation and put to sleep rate is even worse than ours and ours is pretty crap. I wouldn't hand ANY dog to the pound in Ireland personally. The place you said will kill him in 5 days if not claimed is almost certainly a council pound - strays have just 5 days over there and are killed in HUGE numbers (in England our pounds must keep the dog for 7 days).

What you will need to do is advertise him as found (better to be vague and say "found, small grey and white dog", than, "found, Shi Tzu", as you don't want undesirables claiming he is theirs unlawfully and harming him). IME the problem in Ireland is abandoned dogs just as much as missing ones, so it's possible, particularly given the state you say he's in and the breed, that he's an abandoned (or even escaped) ex puppy farm stud.

I personally would wait a bit before bathing him, to allow him to settle. As for a wee, take him into the garden on a makeshift collar and lead (trouser belt!) or better still pilfer one from a dog owning neighbour for a couple of days. Do so after he eats - he may well go to the door to tell you he needs a wee, though if he appears unhousetrained that is yet more indication that he's been puppy farmed.

If I were you I'd contact Bernie on that number above to see what she advises re the laws in Ireland with respect to caring for a dog you have found (and how to get round approach unkind, unhelpful regulations!). I know what they are in the UK but of course you don't share our Parliament. If you can't reach Bernie then please let me know and I will find you somewhere else.

Lastly, bless ya... so many folk would leave the poor boy out in the cold, what a lovely person you are.

[flakemum]

So kind of you to look after him. Dogs are helpless without owners so he will need TLC. Perhaps he ran away scared by fireworks that happens a lot this time of yr. could u take him to vet to see if he is microchipped?

[DogsBestFriend]

Damn good point, flakemum! And what a twit I am not to have thought of it!

[OTheShame]

Im taking him to the vet tomorrow to have him scanned for a microchip. I think its almost certain he has fleas poor thing. I spoke to the woman who is looking for a foster family again and she told me what to feed him and such. He is now palying wth DP and DS and looks so happy! Oh I wish we could keep him he is soooo cute.

Thanks for all the tips, with any luck we will have somewhere for him tomorrow.

[flakemum]

Well if it turns out he is unwanted it certainly sounds like he has been lucky to find your family.