What to Do If You Find a Deceased Animal? A Complete Guide for Proper Action

Discovering a deceased animal—whether a dog, cat, bird, rodent, reptile, horse, or farm animal—can be a distressing and sensitive situation. However, knowing how to respond correctly is crucial to respecting the animal, preventing potential health risks, and, if possible, informing the owners. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do in such a situation.

1. Assess the Situation Safely

👉 Best Practices to Follow:

• Stay calm and observe from a distance: Approach carefully to assess the situation.
• Analyze the environment: Is the animal near a road, water source, or a potentially hazardous area?
• Be cautious if intervening on a public road: Wear a reflective vest and place a warning triangle if necessary.

💡 Never touch the animal with bare hands and keep your distance if you suspect a protected wildlife species.

2. Identify the Animal and Take Note of Important Details

👉 What to Observe?

• Species and breed: Dog, cat, bird, rodent, horse, exotic pet?
• Distinctive features: Coat color, markings, tattoos.
• Location: Record the exact address or GPS coordinates.
• Photos: Take multiple photos from different angles to help with identification.

💡 Even blurry photos can be useful for identification through the Lost'Him app.

3. Check If the Animal Has Identification

👉 How to Proceed?

• Collar with tag: Look for a phone number or owner information.
• Tattoo: Usually located inside the ear or on the inner thigh.
• Microchip: Take the animal to a veterinarian or shelter equipped with a chip scanner.
• Ear tag: Common in farm animals, allowing identification of the breeder via local authorities.

💡 Do not attempt to remove a collar or an ear tag.

4. Report the Discovery on Lost’Him

👉 How to Proceed?

• Open the Lost’Him app.
• Select \"I Found an Animal.\"
• Add clear photos and details about the animal.
• Provide the exact location.
• Indicate if the animal was handed over to a professional (vet, municipal office, shelter).

💡 A detailed report speeds up the identification process.

5. Contact Authorities and Relevant Professionals

👉 Who to Call First?

• Veterinarians: To check for identification and notify the owner.
• Local municipal office: Responsible for handling deceased animals on public property.
• Police or municipal authorities: If the animal was found under suspicious circumstances (injuries, traps).
• Animal protection organizations: They can help disseminate information and provide assistance.
• Wildlife authorities: If the animal is a protected species.

💡 If you are unsure what to do, the local municipality is the best first point of contact.

6. Spread the Information Locally

👉 How to Effectively Notify the Community?

• Share the Lost’Him report on social media.
• Inform local businesses (bakeries, pharmacies, veterinary clinics).
• Print and post Lost’Him-generated posters near the discovery site.
• Contact local animal shelters and rescue groups.

💡 Quick community involvement increases the chances of identification.

7. Special Cases: Wildlife and Protected Species

👉 What to Do?

• Wild birds: Contact a bird protection organization.
• Wild mammals: Notify wildlife conservation authorities.
• Exotic reptiles: Inform a veterinarian specializing in exotic pets.

💡 Handling protected wildlife species without authorization is illegal in many regions.

8. Mistakes to Avoid

👉 Important Precautions:

• Do not handle the animal with bare hands: Risk of disease transmission.
• Do not move the animal without informing authorities: It should be handled by professionals.
• Do not post graphic images on social media: Opt for respectful and informative photos.
• Do not keep a deceased animal at home: This may be against local regulations.

💡 The law requires reporting any deceased animal found on public property.

Conclusion: A Responsible and Compassionate Action

Finding a deceased animal can be a difficult experience, but acting responsibly is crucial. Your intervention can provide closure to a worried family and contribute to protecting local wildlife.

👉 Summary of Key Steps:

• ✅ Assess the situation safely.
• ✅ Identify and take photos.
• ✅ Check for identification (microchip, tattoo, collar, ear tag).
• ✅ Report the deceased animal on Lost’Him.
• ✅ Notify the relevant authorities.
• ✅ Spread information locally.
• ✅ Follow legal procedures for wildlife cases.

💡 Every action counts. By acting with respect and caution, you contribute to a responsible and supportive approach. 🤍✨