Not to alarm you but a few years ago my lab went missing and was located at the dog pound some 25 miles away. When we picked up I asked what the process was and the lady said if the dog was not claimed in 7 days it would be rehomed or worse! Even if we turned up as legitimate owners after 7 days they were not obliged to tell us where it had been rehomed and we would effectively lose the dog!
This doesn't sound right, the dog is classed in law as property and as such belongs to its owner. If it is lost it still remains the owners property and anyone else finding and keeping commits the offence of theft by funding if it can be shown they somehow have personal gain from what they have found. ie dogs home taking a donation from "new owners"
An exception would be where an insurance company has paid out on the loss, in effect the insurance company has then bought the property from you and they become the lawful owners.
Wingy