You are here: HOME > RESOURCES > LOST AND FOUND
Lost and Found
To report lost and found animals to our organization, please call our main number at 952-368-3553 and choose line 3 or request a volunteer to call you.
Use these documents as a reference; simply download and print. You can even hand them out to others!
Nationally only 17% of dogs and 3% of lost cats are reunited with their owners. (source: 1996 study by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy)
55% of the 20 million pets who go through various animal shelters nationally are euthanized (humanely put to sleep).
"What makes this reality more tragic is the low rate at which these animals are ever found again by their owners -- the rest are either adopted into new homes or euthanized because no one wants them." (source: Connie Howard, Director of Shelter Programs at the American Humane Association)
Each time a pet is euthanized, it costs the shelter approximately $65 which translates into over $700 million annually spent doing something that no one wants to do.
Less than three out of 100 cats are found and reclaimed by their owners. One of those three is wearing a tag, which increases its chance of being reunited quickly with its owner. (source: www.americanhumane.org)
Whether a pet has been lost for one day or three weeks makes no difference -- you can't assume a stray animal is yours to keep!
If you see a stray animal call your local police department non-emergency number or animal control and describe the animal and its location for them to come and rescue it. If you see a stray animal and take it in and secure it yourself, consider keeping it separate from your own pets for safety and health reasons. Then download What to do if you find a stray pet (PDF), which covers these steps:
Check for ownership
Ask around
Make the call
Flyers are important
Newspaper ads
Be informed, be persistent
The trauma of losing your pet can be overwhelming. If you develop a plan of action in advance you will be prepared (resource: www.sherlockbones.com). If your pet gets lost you must take immediate action. Download What to do if you lose your pet (PDF), which covers these steps:
Be a detective
Report your lost pet
Create flyers
Place ads
Don't give up
Even the most responsible owners experience circumstances that cause pets to accidentally stray, becoming lost or injured. Know the laws and animal control policies in your city and county. Be prepared; download How to prevent losing your pet (PDF), which covers these steps:
- Microchip your pet
- Tattoo your pet
- Put a collar with tag(s) on your pet
- Spay/neuter
- Fence your yard
|