Question:
we found a shih tzu boy, unnuetered, wandering on the highway at 2 a.m. about three weeks ago. rather than taking him to the overcrowded shelter, we brought him in and bathed-and eventually shaved him due to tar and ticks and burs, and treated some sores, and then called the shelter, vets,a nd groomers in the area as well as the police and then took him in to get microchip scanned. no scan. after that we put flyers up and i did not put an ad in the paper, but i did, and still do, check it every day. no one has reported him or anything! the poor guy is adorable and we are all in love with him so now i need opinions on this.

how long should i wait before i claim him as mine and get him nuetered?

here are some horrible pics of him, from my cell phone.


Answer:
He is adorable!! Personally, I think you have waited long enough, but would gladly hear other opinions. Suzoo should be able to answer that.


Answer:
This time of year, people are on vacation. It could just be that he was left with an irresponsible pet sitter and the owners don't know he's missing. I would wait at least a month to a month and a half.
For a small dog, I don't think I'd have put an ad in the paper either. People are wierd and I'm sure you'd get people who just want a somewhat expensive dog.


Answer:
I think you have certaintly done more then your share of trying to find the owners, I think the shelter here only gives 3 weeks, then the dog becomes adoptable. He is adorable


Answer:
its 21 days here at the shelter,,so i say go for it

id get him microchipped as well that way you can prove hes your dog if need be


Answer:
If the dog was missed by someone, they would have made some effort to find him by now. Puppy is happy with you- he shouldn't have to go back to an iffy life.


Answer:
Weesie, I see there's another dog in the background. Do they get along? If they do, I'd say the new guy's pretty much home!


Answer:
I would check with Animal Control and ask what the legalities are in your area. Here, there is no time limit.. If you find an animal and plan to keep it if it's not claimed.. you must legally adopt the animal thru your shelter... that way, the owner can't show up a month or two later and want his dog back. If you have legally adopted the dog & it's microchipped & registered to you then they lose their rights to the dog.
You are doing all the right steps.. newspaper ads, getting him scanned etc. Arf2184 is right.. alot of petsitters have NO IDEA what to do or where to look when they lose the dog they are responsible for... especially if they don't have animals themselves. Arf also mentioned not putting it in the paper b/c it's a small breed... You have to put it in the paper.. just don't put all the details.. make the person claiming to be the owner prove the dog is his. You have the right to ask them to show you pictures or Vet records to prove this is their dog...