Cass was out for a run near Frisco Commons Park when she spotted a dog pacing along the path. There was no owner in sight, and traffic was busy on Teel Parkway. Worried that the dog might try to cross the road, she called to the dog and it came to her and let her pet it. Fortunately, she was able to find the owner’s number on the dog’s collar tags and they came to the park right away.
Moments like this happen all too often in Frisco’s busy, pet-friendly areas. But what if a lost dog doesn’t have a collar? Would you know how to help?
How to Help a Lost Dog: Safety First
Approach with Caution
Safety, urgency, and compassion are of the utmost importance in a situation like this. Always prioritize your own safety when encountering a lost dog. When dogs are frightened or injured, they might react by biting or running away.
Do not chase the dog. Move slowly and speak gently, so the dog does not panic. Approach them from the side, instead of head-on, and avoid direct eye contact.
Secure the Dog
Assess the temperament and injury of the stray. If the animal is stiff, growling, or showing signs of aggression, do not approach it. However, if you can, secure the dog with a leash. You can also confine it in a safe, fenced area.
Check for Identification
Check for collar tags and contact info. If the dog does not have a collar, they might have a microchip. A local vet clinic or animal shelter may be able to scan the chip to find the owner’s contact information.
Document Where the Dog Was Found
As you search for tags, it is also critical to note the exact location where you found the animal, the time, and the pet’s behavior. These details will help animal services and shelters locate the owners.
Helping a Lost Dog Get Back Home: The Next Steps to Take
You can call a local clinic like LazyPaw Animal Hospitals for veterinary services, including advice on the next steps, injury checks, and microchip scanning. However, you must also contact animal control and surrender the dog to a local animal shelter.
You cannot keep a stray dog that you found without going through the proper channels. It may be considered “theft by finding” if you keep a found pet without notifying the proper authorities and going through a waiting period first.
Step 1: Call Animal Control in Frisco, Texas
When you find a stray, you must contact the local dog catcher at the City of Frisco Animal Services within 24 hours. Frisco Animal Services maintains a Lost and Found Pet Finder Map for quick, online public identification. However, not all dogs are registered, so finding the owner may take some time.
- Identification: Officers will check for tags, tattoos, or chips to identify the pet owner.
- Reclaiming: If the dog is not registered, the owner must pay a small fee to retrieve the pet.
- Holding Period: Strays are held for a specific period before becoming the property of the shelter.
- Adoption/Rescue: If not claimed, the animal is placed for adoption or moved to a rescue partner.
Step 2: Contact Local Animal Shelters
Animal control handles enforcement, whereas shelters provide care. Thus, it is essential to report a lost dog to both resources. This will increase the chances of reunion for the dog and their owner.
Often called an impoundment (aka “the pound”) strays in Frisco are brought to the Collin County Animal Shelter for a mandatory five-day holding period. During this time, the owner can reclaim the dog and pay a fee to retrieve their pet.
You can give the local animal shelter photos, descriptions of the stray, and other details you documented. Many pet owners will monitor shelter listings hoping to find their pet, and your reports can help reunite them.
Be a Superhero for a Stray: Contact LazyPaw Animal Hospitals
If you find a lost dog in Frisco, now you know what to do:
- Approach with caution, and secure the dog if you can.
- Check for a collar with contact information.
- Call animal control and surrender the dog to a shelter.
You may also contact our team at LazyPaw Animal Hospitals for guidance. And if your own pet needs a microchip ID we’d be happy to give them one at their next visit. It’s a quick and painless process, and it will give you a much better chance of finding your pet again if they ever wander off.
Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 2/14/26.