How to Help a Lost or Stray Dog That Won’t Come to You

It’s heartbreaking to see a lost or stray dog in need, especially when they won’t come to you. Whether they’re scared, injured, or just unsure of people, it can be tough to know what to do. Over the years, I’ve found a few things that help in these situations, from keeping emergency food kits in my car to knowing who to call when a dog or cat needs help. Here’s what I do when I come across an animal in need, and hopefully, it helps you too.

Keep Emergency Food Kits in Your Car

One of the best ways to be prepared is to have a small pet food kit with you at all times. I make these myself using two-section containers—one side holds food, and the other side holds treats like Milk-Bones or soft cat treats. If I need to, I can dump the treats into the food bowl and use the empty side for water.

To make these kits, you’ll need:
✔ Sealable plastic containers (or washed-out takeout containers with lids—great for recycling!)
✔ Water bottles (I tape one to each container with Sure Start packaging tape)
✔ Dry dog food
✔ Dog treats (Milk-Bones, soft treats, or whatever is easy to carry)
✔ Dry cat food
✔ Cat treats

These kits make it easy to offer food and water in case the animal is too nervous to approach. Sometimes, just putting food out and giving them space can help build trust.

• See my post about how to carry prepared pet food and water in your car for emergencies like this.

Approach Slowly and Use a Calm Voice

If the dog or cat won’t come to you, don’t rush at them or try to grab them. Instead:

• Crouch down and turn slightly to the side—facing head-on can seem intimidating.

• Extend a hand but don’t force them to sniff it.

• Use a soft, friendly voice and try gentle sounds like kissing noises or light whistling.

• If they seem interested but hesitant, toss a few treats toward them and let them come closer on their own time.

Some animals are just too scared, and that’s okay. If they won’t come to you but stay in the same area, try setting food down and backing away.

Check for a Collar and Tags

If the dog or cat does approach, check for a collar. Some lost pets have tags with phone numbers, making it easy to reunite them with their owners. If there’s a number, call or text right away.

No tags? That’s where the next steps come in.

Call Animal Control or a Local Rescue

If you can’t get close to the dog, calling animal control is a good option. In Richmond, you can contact Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC). Many local rescues also have volunteers who will come out to help. If you’re in a different area, a quick Google search for “animal control near me” should bring up the right contact info.

Some things to know before calling:

• Give them an exact location—street names, landmarks, or even dropping a pin on Google Maps helps.

• Describe the animal—color, size, breed (if you can guess), and any noticeable details like a limp or injury.

• Mention if they seem aggressive—this helps them know what kind of approach to take.

If the animal is in immediate danger (like in the middle of a busy road), some local rescues might send someone out even faster than animal control.

If You Can Safely Catch Them, What’s Next?

If the dog or cat is friendly and you’re able to get them into your car, you have a few options:

1. Bring Them Home Temporarily

If you’re comfortable keeping them for a little while, set them up in a safe space with food, water, and a quiet area to rest. Then, start looking for their owner:

• Post in Facebook lost and found pet groups (I’ve included a list of Richmond-area ones below!)

• Check Nextdoor—a lot of lost pets get reunited this way.

• Take them to a vet or shelter to check for a microchip—most places do this for free.

2. Bring Them to a Local Shelter

If you can’t keep them, the next best option is taking them to a shelter. Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC) is the main open-intake shelter in the area, meaning they take in all stray animals. Many other rescues can help too, especially if the dog or cat needs medical care.

3. Contact Local Rescues

Some rescues have foster networks and may be able to take in a lost pet until the owner is found. If the dog or cat seems in bad shape—like they’re very thin, injured, or sick—some rescues can also provide medical care.

Posting Online: The Fastest Way to Reunite Pets with Owners

Once you’ve secured the dog or cat, posting online is key. Here’s where to post:

• Facebook lost and found pet groups

• Nextdoor

• PawBoost (a national lost pet database that also shares posts to social media)

• Petco Love Lost (a facial recognition site for lost pets)

Be sure to include clear photos, the exact location where they were found, and any details that might help an owner recognize them.

Be Prepared, but Be Safe

It’s wonderful to want to help, but always be careful. Not every lost dog or cat is friendly, and some might bite out of fear. If an animal seems aggressive, injured, or in distress, calling animal control or a rescue is the safest option.

That said, many lost pets are just scared and confused, and with a little patience, they’ll come around. Keeping food kits in your car, knowing where to post lost pet alerts, and being familiar with local shelters and rescues can make a huge difference.

Helping a lost dog or cat might feel overwhelming, but every small action counts. Even if you can’t catch them, reporting their location and leaving out food and water could be the thing that helps them get back home.

Related Articles:

• how to carry prepared pet food and water in your car

RVA Related Articles:

• List of local animal shelters in the RVA Richmond, VA Area

• List of pet urgent care centers in RVA Richmond, VA Area

• Here are some Richmond VA-area Facebook groups where you can post if you find a lost pet:

  • RVA Lost and Found Pets

  • Richmond VA - Lost & Found Pets

  • Virginia Lost and Found Dogs

  • Lost and Found Pets of Henrico, Richmond, Chesterfield, & Surrounding Areas

Download my free lost pet flyer:
It can easily be edited for free in Canva

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