A staff member with Tracy Animal Services advised people who find dogs to keep the animal in the area where it was found and to walk the surrounding neighborhood to look for an owner, saying dogs are often only two to four blocks from home and are usually reunified within 72 hours.

The guidance explains how the shelter handles found animals and why immediate removal to the shelter is discouraged except when safety requires it. The agency said it uses a delayed intake process to avoid euthanizing healthy animals simply to make space for new ones.

Tracy Animal Services told finders to begin by keeping the dog in the place it was found and canvassing the neighborhood; if no owner is located, the finder should contact Tracy Animal Services to complete a found-dog report either online or in person during business hours. A staff member said the shelter will photograph the dog, perform an examination, scan for a microchip and provide copies of found-dog flyers.

The agency said it also provides temporary supplies — including a crate, food, water, bedding and bowls — and a list of locations where found-dog flyers can be posted to expedite reunification. Once the shelter completes those steps, staff schedule an intake appointment for the dog to be brought to the facility.

For more information, the shelter listed the phone number (209) 831-6364 and said finders may complete a found-dog report online or in person during business hours. The shelter reiterated that its delayed intake policy is intended to increase the chance of reunification and reduce unnecessary intake pressure on shelter space.