Found a Pet, Looking for the Owner

First, consider the safety of the animal and of yourself. A frightened animal may behave unpredictably. Carefully following the steps below will greatly increase your chances of reuniting the dog with its owner:

1. Confine the pet. All strange animals are unpredictable. Use leashes and pet carriers when walking or transporting pets and keep your found pet away from existing pets.
   
   
2. Record a description of the pet. Include pet Type (bird, cat, dog, etc.), Breed, Sex, Age, Size, Color(s). Add a description of any Collar(s) the pet may be wearing and note the Date and Location where the pet was found.
   
   
3. Place temporary identification on the pet.
   
   
4. Decide how long to look for the owner before giving up the search. One to Two weeks is a reasonable length of time and pets should not be "adopted out" or "given away" during the search period.
   
   
5. Keep receipts of expenses paid on behalf of the pet(s). All reasonable expenses may be paid by the owner(s).
   
   
6. Begin the search for the owner right away. Contact area lost and found pet registries, rescue groups, animal shelters and animal control agencies.
   
   
7. If the search for the owner is not successful. We recommend you contact a third-party organization such as a humane society/SPCA or breed rescue group in your area for placement assistance.
   
   
8. Call all animal control authorities within the immediate and surrounding jurisdictions. If a report is taken over the telephone and a record of the pet's description is requested, provide only the following basic information: Type Pet, Breed, Sex, Age, Size, Colors, and the Date and Location the pet was found.
   
   
9. Call all area veterinary clinics and hospitals. In general, call all clinics within a few miles from where the pet was found.
   
   
10. Call Animal Shelters and Humane Societies in the county and nearest adjacent county in which the pet was found.
    
    
11. Place Ads in Newspapers.
    
    
12. Call Radio and Television Stations. Provide them with only the basic information.
    
    
13. Post and Distribute Fliers.
    
    
14. Verifying Pet Ownership. We recommend that the owner be told to present some of the following information in order to claim his/her pet: Current rabies tag certificate, Veterinary records, pictures of owner(s) and pet together in the same photograph, etc.