We receive phone calls on a daily basis from people who have found an animal or want to surrender an animal of their own. If you are in this situation, please read the following questions and answers so that you will understand how our
program works.

What do I do if I find an animal and do not know who it
belongs to?
If you find an animal that does not have a collar with identification, the first thing to do is to take the animal to the closest veterinarian and have it scanned for a microchip. Veterinarians provide this service for free. If the animal has a microchip, you will be able to contact the owner based on the scanned information.

What if it has no microchip?
In this case, put up signs near where you found the animal that describe the animal and list your phone number. Also, notify nearby veterinarians and the Guilford County Animal Shelter (phone number is 297-5020) to make sure that no one is looking for that animal. You can also check out local lost and found postings on several websites such as Lassie Come Home. Many pets escape their fences every day and are found by others. Our greatest piece of advice is for everyone to microchip their pets and keep collars with identification on them at all times! If the animal is purebred, also notify the appropriate breed rescue in case the owner checks there (for example, if you find a Golden Retriever, call Triad Golden Retriever Rescue and let them know).

What if I still can't find an owner?
If you have tried all of the above and have not found an owner, you can consider the animal a stray. Please read our links and recommendations page about how to find a home for a stray. If you have tried everything listed in the article and still haven't found an owner, please contact us.

Can I bring the animal to Red Dog Farm?
We do not have an adoption facility, and can only take in as many animals as we can house in the homes of volunteer "foster families." If you need to surrender an animal, please send us an email (our email address is reddogfarm@triad.rr.com) and send us a description of the animal, its age, name, breed, quirks, etc. as well as a picture. Also include your contact information. If we have a foster home available, we will contact you to let you know. If we don't, we'll be glad to list the animal as a "referral" on our site.

What does it mean for an animal to be a referral?
It means that we have not taken custody of the animal and our adoption application and fee do not apply, but we have listed the animal on our site as an effort to help its owner (or the person who found it) find it a new home. We have not met the animal and have not evaluated its health or temperament. We can only list a certain number of referrals at a time, so there is a limit to our capacity to do so. Referrals cannot be sold - any fee charged by the person trying to find a home must be donated to Red Dog Farm. No fee is required.

Is there a "waiting list" for foster homes?
We do keep track of all animals waiting for foster homes, but because some foster families will only foster certain things (small dogs, kittens, horses, etc.), we don't always take animals in the order that we receive requests to do so. For instance, large dogs often wait longer for a foster home because we have less volunteers who have the means to house them.

If I surrender an animal, can I choose who adopts it?
No. If you surrender an animal, you give up all rights to that animal. We will place it in the home that we deem to be best for it.

I found an animal that I can't keep permanently, but I could foster short term. Can it be included in Red Dog Farm's foster program?
Maybe. If you are willing to foster an animal you have found, please let us know that when you email us its picture. If we have the funds available, we will have the animal vaccinated and spayed or neutered. The applicable adoption fee will apply when the animal is adopted, and we will choose the adoptive home.