At the Animal Cabin we want to make sure everyone knows what is the right thing to do to help the animal as best you can.
Just because your kids have found a pet and want to keep it does not mean they can. Even if you are okay with them having a pet there may be legal issues. That pet had an owner, and that owner is legally entitled to get it back.
As such the first thing you should do when your children bring home a pet they have found is to check it for identification, such as a collar and tags. You could also go back to where they found it and ask around if anyone knows who the pet belongs to.
Next, phone the local animal shelter or whomever deals with lost and found pets in the area. This could be an SPCA, humane society, animal control, or sometimes the police or local veterinarian's office. If you are not sure who to call your local police department will tell you. Have them check their "Lost Pets" reports and be sure to file a "Found Pet" report. This simple act protects you from potentially being charged with theft, unless it can be proven your children lured the pet from its yard or took it from a secured place.
You can also take the pet to the veterinarian or animal shelter and have them scan it (free) for a microchip.
Technically you have to wait to see if anyone claims the pet before you can consider it legally yours, this can be 2 or 3 weeks in some places.
Obviously if you have no intention of keeping the pet you should take it to the animal shelter so the owner can claim it. Until it is legally yours you cannot sell it or give it away.
Never keep a pet unless you are fully prepared to care for it.
