How to Find a Home for a Stray Dog

Contact your area animal shelter(s) to see if he’s been reported missing and list him as found.
Place a ‘found dog’ ad in the newspaper and on radio. Many media outlets will allow you to place these ads at no charge. Give only a limited description of the dog but do include where he was found. Ask any respondents to fully identify the dog. Any stumbles on identification should key you to the fact that they are not his original caretakers.
If you are unable to find his original family and continue to feel that you can only provide foster care, place an adoption ad.
Have the dog spayed or neutered before you adopt him into a home.
Be picky. Insist on inspecting the individual’s home, ask for a veterinary referral, and a letter of agreement that returns the dog to you if things don’t work out in the new home.
Charge a small fee to recoup some of your expenses and further eliminate potentially bad homes.
Never run a ‘free to good home’ ad. These sometimes attract dealers who will take the dog straight to a horrible experimental laboratory, a fate worse than death.
If the dog is a purebred, check the internet for one of the many breed rescue groups.
For more detailed information about screening a potential home, contact Home At Last for a copy of our adoption application.
Prepare to care for the dog long enough to find just the right home. One IS out there. You and your rescued animal will be far better off waiting for it.