Lost & Found

I’ve lost my pet!

If you’ve lost your pet, make sure you contact us right away so we can be on the lookout for him/her and post a “courtesy post” on our Facebook page. Please provide as many details in your pet’s description as possible, so we can distinguish your pet from other animals. If you have a picture of the lost animal, please provide it with the description!

If your beloved kitty happens to get lost here are a few steps to get you started in the search process:
  1. 1. Search Nearby: Start by thoroughly searching your home, yard, and surrounding areas. Cats often hide in nearby bushes, under decks, or in other secluded spots.
  2. 2. Check Hiding Places: Inspect potential hiding spots indoors, such as closets, basements, and behind furniture. Cats may become scared and seek shelter in these areas.
  3. 3. Leave Out Familiar Items: Place your cat’s favorite bedding, litter box, toys, or treats outside your home to attract them back. The familiar scent may help guide them home.
  4. 4. Search During Quiet Hours: Cats are more likely to come out when it’s quiet, such as during the early morning or late evening. Take walks around your neighborhood during these times, calling out for your cat.
  5. 5. Call Out: Cats may respond to familiar voices. Call your cat’s name softly and listen for any signs of movement or meowing.
If your dog happens to sneak out on you here are some steps to get started searching:

  1. 1. Stay Calm: While it’s natural to panic, staying calm will help you think more clearly and make better decisions.
  2. 2. Search Nearby: Immediately start searching the area where your dog was last seen. Enlist the help of family members, friends, and neighbors to cover more ground.
  3. 3. Call Out: Use your dog’s name and call out in a calm, reassuring voice. Dogs have a keen sense of hearing and may respond to familiar voices.
  4. 4. Use Scent: Leave an item with your scent, such as a piece of clothing or bedding, in the area where your dog was last seen. Dogs have a strong sense of smell and may be drawn back to your scent.
PLEASE KEEP A COLLAR AND ID TAG ON YOUR ANIMAL; THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THAT YOUR PET RETURNS HOME.

There are break-away collars that you can purchase from local pet stores that will ensure the safety of your kitty, should he/she get caught up on something.

I’ve found somebody’s pet, what should I do next?
  1. Many times, pets accidently escape and then forget how to get home. Finding a stray animal can be both heartwarming and concerning. Here are some steps to ensure the safety of the animal and help reunite it with its owner:
  2. 1. Approach with Caution: Stray animals may be frightened or defensive. Approach slowly and calmly, speak in a soothing tone to gain their trust. Be mindful of any signs of discomfort.
  3. 2. Check for Identification: Look for any tags, collars, or other forms of identification on the animal. If there are none, observe for any signs of recent grooming or cleanliness, which may indicate it has an owner.
  4. 3. Scan for Microchip: If possible, take the animal to a nearby veterinarian or humane society to scan for a microchip. Many pets have microchips implanted with owner contact information.
  5. 4. Provide Temporary Shelter: If the animal appears to be in immediate danger (e.g., on a busy road), provide temporary shelter in a safe and secure area like a fenced yard or a crate.
  6. 5. Offer Food and Water: Provide the animal with food and water to ensure its immediate needs are met. This will also help gain its trust.
  7. 6. Contact Local Animal Control or Humane Society (Such as GHS!): Notify your local animal control or humane society about the found animal. They may be able to assist in finding the owner or providing further guidance on what to do next.
  8. 7. Utilize social media and Community Resources: Share photos and information about the found animal on social media platforms, community bulletin boards, and local online forums. This increases the chances of reaching the owner. We are more than happy to share or make a post to help you find the animals owner!
  9. 8. Post Found Pet Flyers: Create and distribute flyers in the area where the animal was found, including a description and contact information for anyone who may recognize it.
  10. 9. Be Patient and Persistent: Reuniting a lost pet with its owner may take time. Continue to care for the animal as long as you are able while actively searching for its owner.

Strays are given seven days at the facility for an owner to claim them before they are put up for adoption. If you would like to keep the animal with you while searching for an owner, send us a photo! This allows us to post a “do you know me” to our Facebook page.

We will post lost and found animals in two ways:
1- If someone has found and turned in an animal and you see that we have your animal, and it was listed like this you will need to bring us proof of your animal’s current rabies vaccine. If they do not have one, we can provide one for a $15 charge.
2-If you see that animal control has been the one that found your animal you will need proof of rabies and county tags. There is also a chance you will have to talk with Animal Control first (304-645-9080)!