Found a lost pet?

If you see a lost dog or cat there are several things to do that can help reunite this pet with its owner. While it’s wonderful to bring a lost pet into your home, please remember the goal is to help that animal get back to its family. (Lost your pet? Click here)

If you cannot catch the animal, contact Cobb County Animal Services (770-499-4136) immediately to report the exact street address where you saw the pet. Next Door also has a network of neighbors where you can post in the Lost and Found section so others can keep an eye out. If you are not in Cobb County contact your local animal control.

If you can safely catch the animal, then you should follow these steps:
1. Safely contain the animal away from your pets,
— Ideally, dogs should be secured using a leash or contained in a fenced yard. A belt or piece of rope can be used
as a slip lead in an emergency, but keep in mind that these items are not appropriate as a routine means of
controlling a dog.
    — Most cats do not like to be held for any length of time, so stray kitties are best confined inside a cat carrier, secure
box (with air holes), or a small room of your house such as a bathroom.

2. See if the animal has an ID tag that would allow you to immediately contact the owner. If the pet is wearing ID, but you are unable to immediately make contact with the owner, you may choose to hold onto the pet for a few hours and wait for a call back from the owner.

3. Take the animal to your local vet or animal shelter to see if there is a microchip. The staff scan the animal for a microchip. If the animal is chipped, the shelter staff will be able to immediately look up the owner’s contact information by calling the microchip company or accessing the microchip database online.

4. Whether you choose to wait to hear from the owner, hold onto the pet until the owner is found or need to take the owner to the shelter, you should still immediately file a “found” report with Cobb County Animal Services (or your county ) in case the owner calls or goes there to search for the pet. If you are unable to hold the pet, you can either take it to your local animal shelter or call your local animal control or police department to pick it up. HUHA does not handle lost and found animals.

5. Whether you hold the lost animal yourself or place it in the custody of your local shelter, there are several ways you can help find the owner. If possible, take a photo of the pet and post fliers around the area where the pet was found. Be sure to also distribute the fliers to local veterinary clinics. You can also post a message on Next-door with a photo and description. If the animal was found in your neighborhood, go door-to-door to see if anyone knows who the owner might be.

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