Found a Pet?

Before you take a found pet to a shelter, please determine:

Where you found the pet. Make note of the street address, major cross streets or some other point of reference where you found the animal. Shelters can only accept in strays from the areas they service so you need to have an idea where the pet was found.

When to bring a found dog or cat to PAWS. PAWS takes in stray dogs and cats from Edmonds, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Shoreline and Woodinville in Washington State. If PAWS is the correct shelter to take in the pet you found, upon arrival, the shelter staff will first verify the animal was found in our service area. You will then need to complete paperwork which is required by law and necessary for us to intake the animal. You will also need to present identification. Most stray animals will be held the legal holding period of 72 hours (some are held longer) to give their family a chance to find them. Sometimes an animal who has a severe injury, illness or is too dangerous to house at the shelter, will be humanely euthanized during the holding period.

Contact the local animal shelter. If you are located outside of the area above, search for a shelter near you at Petfinder.com or see this list of other animal shelters and agencies in Western Washington. Most likely the lost pet can go to the animal shelter closest to where you found him. However, some shelters do not take in strays, will only accept strays from their service area, or maybe closed. Save time by calling or visiting the shelter’s website for information.

 

Reuniting the lost pet yourself.

Are you thinking of holding onto a found pet while you search for her family? Read these tips on reuniting a found pet first.