Found A Pet
So you've found a pet, now what? Different municipalities have different laws regarding lost pets. Some require that you bring the pet to the shelter, while others require that you notify your local shelter and make a significant effort to find the pet's family. Often people that find pets decide to keep them without realizing how devastating losing a pet can be. It is important to do all that you can to find the pet's family. Cats that are spayed or neutered usually do not venture very far, while dogs fixed or not, can cover ground very quickly. You can often tell by the pet's health and grooming if they have been missing for a long time, or have just gotten out. A well kept, healthy pet, probably has gotten loose recently and has a family frantically looking for their them, while a pet that is thin, is very dirty, hasn't been groomed for a while, or has nails that are very worn down, may have been lost for a while or abandoned. Note whether the pet is male or female, and neutered/spayed or intact.
Check for Identification
Check to see if there is an I.D. or Rabies tag.
Most pets wear ID tags on their collars with their owner's contact information. Rabies or pet registration tags can often be tracked through your local animal shelter. If you find a pet in Travis County, call 311. To have a
Travis County pet registration tag traced call (512) 972-5678. If you
have found a pet in Williamson County call (512) 943-3322 - Sheriff's
office, or (512) 943-1389 - WC Regional Shelter.
Check to see if the animal has a tattoo.
Tatoos are usually found on the abdomen, inner thigh or ear. If the tatoo is the symbol for female with a line
through it, this pet may have been spayed at Town Lake Animal Center
and probably has a microchip. If you find a number tatoo, check with the following to see if the pet is registered:
- Your county or city Animal Control office
- National Dog Registry: (800) NDR-DOGS
- Tattoo-A-Pet: (800) 828-8667
- www.WOLPet.com (scroll down for tattoo number entry)
Check to see if the animal has a microchip
Take the pet to a veterinarian or the shelter and have them scan the pet to see if they have a microchip. Microchips cannot be felt or seen and require a special scanner that most veterinarians and shelters have and they will scan the pet at no cost. Many also wear a tag with their microchip number and contact information for the company, which can contact the owner.
Post Flyers in the Neighborhood
Post flyers where you found the pet. The flyer should be made on brightly colored paper and make them big (11x17), and include a photo if possible. Include a description (breed, length of coat, color, tail type, eye color and any distinct markings even if they are obvious in the photo), if wearing collar or tags - put a description of them, and include where and when you found the pet. List your phone number and email address - but do not include your home address. Here is a website that will create a flyer for you: http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/resourcelibrary/flyermaker/flyermaker.cfm
Go Door-to-Door
Go door-to-door in the area where you found the pet. Talk to neighbors in the area because they may know whose pet it is. If no one is home, leave a flyer in the mailbox or at the front door. Put flyers on all cars parked on the street. For cats, three-square blocks should be sufficient, for dogs, expand that to 10 square blocks.
Post Flyers at Vet Offices and Pet Stores
Bring a copy of your flyer to all vet offices and pet stores in the area. Ask if they recognize the pet, and ask if you can post flyers on a bulletin board, or leave several flyers on the counter.
Go to the Shelter and File a Found Pet Report
It is very important to file a found pet report at the shelter. The shelter can also scan the dog for a microchip. Once you have filled out a found report, the shelter can upload a photo of the dog to its website where the owner can search for it while it remains safe at your home. Leaving the pet at the shelter should be your very last
option if you cannot keep the pet until the pet’s owner is found, or
you can find a new home for the pet. Most shelters are only required to hold a lost pet for 3 days before that pet is either put up for adoption, or humanely killed. The kill rate at most City and County shelters is very high, and may be much higher for old or sick animals, very young animals, feral cats or pit bull-type dogs. If you must leave the pet at the shelter, make sure to post a photo and description of the pet and where it was found to Craigs list and other websites, include the 3-day deadline and shelter animal id number, and let APA! know right away. Another option is to leave the pet at the shelter but put in a backup application. This gives the pet the best chance of being found by its owner or adopted by someone else, without the risk of being killed. With the backup application, the shelter will contact you if no owner is found. If you can foster the pet for a few weeks or months but not keep it permanently, we can help you get it adopted.
Post and Search Online
There are many online resources where you can post messages about pets that you have found. Neighborhoods often have email newsletters or mailing lists where you can post the pet. If you are unable to hold the pet until the owner is found, make sure you include information about the shelter where the pet was taken and any deadline. Don't limit yourself to just one site. Include a photo for best results. Here are some places to start:
Local
National
Call Pet Finders/Pet Club Of America at (800) 666-5678
and report the animal found. They keep a national database of lost and
found pets. Keep in mind that animals can travel faster and further
than you'd ever expect when frightened.
Advertise
Put an advertisement in your local paper. Often the local paper will put in a free ad for lost/found pets. Check the Lost Pets section to see if an owner has placed an ad for a pet matches the description of the pet you have found. Check to see if there is a local neighborhood newsletter or smaller paper that services your particular area. Again, it is always best if you can include a picture or be as descriptive as possible.
Contact Local Rescue Groups
Local rescue groups are very well connected in the community and visit shelters often. Call local rescue groups and see if they will post a message to their members about the pet that you have found - and don't forget to send them a picture and let them know where and when you found the pet. Visit our Rescues and Shelters page or go to http://www.austinspetdirectory.com for a list of greater Austin area rescue groups. Start with rescues that specialize in the breed of pet you found, or mixed breed groups.
If you can't find the pet's owner and you can't keep the animal yourself, email or call us. We may be able to assist in finding it a home without going to the local pound where over 50% of all animals are killed.
Thank you for taking the time to care about this pet. With the help of people like you, we can make Austin a No Kill city.
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