What I do: I call all of the places that you mentioned. And I leave my name and number name with a description of the dog. (Assuming you did that too.) In addition to rescues, I also call the local police departments and animal. I don't give them dog, I just leave them my name, number and a description of the dog.

Then I bathe the dog, feed the dog and keep it separate from my other dogs, because I don't know if its been vaccinated or ill.

So far, I've only had to do this three times and the stray has always been picked up the original owners, within a couple days. I've been lucky as the lost pets around here have had an owner looking for them.

I've told myself after one week, I would either find a new owner or turn it into animal control. Luckily I haven't had to do that yet. But I do realize, You just can't save them all. :-(

Joepye, we live in TX, in a semi-rural area. Since we moved here, we've taken in lots of strays and haven't been able to place any of them. It's pretty much a situation where if you take them in, you are going to end up keeping them. With all these critters, we just cannot afford to take in any more, unless we win the lottery. I guess my post was mostly a rant. I am so tired of irresponsible a**holes not taking proper care of their animals, and others who have a conscience cleaning up their messes. It's not fair.

I take them to the shelter and fill out the adoption papers in case they are not picked up. One Husky could not be bailed out AGAIN by the owner (each time an animal is caught, the bail goes up- this dog had been out of the shelter for only 3 days when I found him), but he got adopted by the husky rescue folks- I would have taken him if it meant death otherwise. All the others were eventually picked up by their owners. I put signs up with the shelter phone number. In Durham, by law, strays have to go to the shelter- you are not allowed to try to find the owner yourself. They get kept for at least 5 days, then placed for adoption or euthanized (depending on adoptability, etc.). I do put up signs so people know where to look for their pets.

I too am tired of the irresponsible people, the animals suffer for it and that is not acceptable.

Meghane, I wish animal control kept them for 5 days in our area, 48 hours is just way too short. Our local HS is no kill and hasn't been able to take in animals for ages, because pet adoptions have decreased and they have no room.

We've faced the same situation many times, mostly with cats, in our urban area. I do what you've done, with the addition of putting up some "found" flyers/announcements around. Since this dog appears to be a Boston terrier perhaps there's a rescue group for the breed somewhere nearby.

Just last week a thin stray cat with some pretty severe injuries appeared, hungry and affectionate. After feeding her we took her to the shelter. I just can't afford more vet bills like that! (We spent several thousand on another stray cat last year who now lives in my house.) I felt terrible but what can you do? All the no-kill places are full.

jcin, you did what you had to do, and maybe the kitty will get vet care at the shelter, and another chance. Unless you are very wealthy, you can only do so much. There are so many people out there who mean well, but become overwhelmed by taking in way more animals than they can afford.

you can try this website. Good luck. I have a stray cat that has decided to stay and he's not neutered either(yet)

Here is a link that might be useful: fido finder