Someone Just Left a Dog on My Doorstep... UPDATE

[Camilla and Darwin]

So I just got a knock on my door. I took a few minutes to open it and when I did, there was a dog tied to my front rail. It is a small terrier/chihuahua looking mix, maybe about 7lbs? I brought him in and tried to give him food and water, neither of which he is taking. No collar, no tattoo, nothing. I called the local humane society, the vet and animal control, nobody has heard anything and nobody can pick him up. Obviously I will keep the little guy overnight if I have to, but I haven't ever done this type of thing. Suggestions? I have class really early tomorrow morning, before the shelter opens and I'm not sure I should just leave him here in the apartment. Darwin's unbridled excitement is scaring the little guy to death so I have Darwin outside on the patio. Anyone have suggestions for the steps I need to be taking?

 

 

UPDATE: Well, I got in touch with a private rescue who advised me to take him to the local shelter. I wanted to take him to the humane society over a local animal control facility, but apparently they will not accept strays, only surrendered pets. If you go in and say it's a stray, they will immediately direct you to an animal control shelter. She advised me to not to try and claim he was my pet because they take that pretty seriously, so the humane society option was out

 

She said to take him to my local animal shelter, and tell the manager of the shelter to contact her. When I got there, they were looking at me a little bit suspiciously and meanly. I can't really blame them though, I don't think they believed my story. I don't know that I would have believed it either!

 

Anyways, I asked for the manager of the shelter, told her the name of the private rescuer and she immediately knew who I was talking about. Apparently they know each other well, and she frequently pulls dogs from their shelter. She informed me that he would be kept over the weekend, and the private rescue would come pick him up after that. After inspecting him and his teeth, she noticed that he still had baby teeth and might be around 5 months old. She said he was cute and would be very adoptable. The two workers thought he was adorable and assured me he would be well cared for until the private rescue picked him up. By the way, he wasn't neutered or microchipped, we found that out as well.

 

It's been kind of a crazy night/day, and I'm running on 4 hours of sleep so I may end up taking a nap. :-) I am SO relieved he is in good hands, and I think he's going to find a great home. Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions and encouragement. What an adventure!

 

[Camilla and Darwin]

It's not kennel cough. He was making the sound as he was whining to get out of the crate. It was deliberate. It's definitely a debarking noise... I've heard it before. :-(

[shelly]

Glad it's not kennel cough and was deliberate... but HOW sad for him that people would do this.  I've read about it, but never really knew it to be done.  what kind of a vet does this?  (assuming it IS done by a vet).  Camilla, you are truly a wonderful person!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Oh, how awful. Poor little guy!

[shelly]

Oh WOW, Camilla!  I don't think this was random.  Someone obviously saw you with Darwin and knew what a great doggy mom you are!  I would be afraid to leave him too.  do you have a crate yo could keep him in?  How will Darwin be if you left the puppy there without you?  I know tori would go nuts, but that's HER.  Darwin is such a gentle soul!  Good luck!  I'll be watching!

[Donna K & Quincy]

OMD he is so cute and he looks pretty happy to have found you. If you don't find his owners, my address is ......... I found a dog the other day, a cute black and white dude all shaggy and adorable, I was kind of disappointed when I found his owner. I had already decided if I didn't find his owner he was going to be Quincy's new brother. Camilla, maybe it's fate, small dog, small apt.

[Kyoko]

He is such a cute little guy.... So sad that someone would do that...... But it tells a lot about you..... ths person trusted that you would do the very best to find this guy a home.... I once found a dog in my fenched in yard when I retuned from work. Someone had open my latch and placed the dog there and left him.....I had animal rescue league picked him up......

[Linda and Murphy]

Camilla, he looks very young. You may have them check for a microchip also. They obviously knew you and Darwin and that you would do the right thing. I'm sorry this happened, but he is in good hands.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thought I would give a little update. We walked around more, and contacted our apt. security letting them know that we had found a dog. I put him in the crate and left Darwin out. Darwin thinks the dog is here solely to play, and the little guy is somewhat timid around him. He as afraid at first but how they are walking around together without much issue. he is almost being trampled by Darwin though. :-) He does not like being in the crate, AT ALL. he makes loud whimpers and "barks" but I can only hear raspy noises, it sounds a lot like a debarked dog. I gave him a bath which he did good with, and he doesn't appear to have ticks or any kind of skin issue. Fleas are not at all prevalent here so I'm not worried about that. He looks somewhat well cared for, as his fur is not tangled and it wasn't too filthy. Honestly, I'm thinking we should crate Darwin and keep the dog in our bedroom with us. I did bathe him... thoughts?

[Linda and Murphy]

He's pretty cute C

 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin won't care if he's in our bedroom. I don't think. He'll probably go right to sleep, as long as the pup doesn't whine or bark.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Is Darwin normally crated at night?

[Camilla and Darwin]

Yes, Darwin is crated at night. In a separate room.