Lost Pets
Losing an animal can be one of the most stressful moments in a pet owner's life. Please review all of the following resources that can improve your chances of finding your pet. Lost pets can be found weeks to months after they go missing, so it’s important to not give up on your search and continue using the following tools.
Losing an animal can be one of the most stressful moments in a pet owner's life. Please review all of the following resources that can improve your chances of finding your pet. Lost pets can be found weeks to months after they go missing, so it’s important to not give up on your search and continue using the following tools.
- Check your neighborhood. Eighty percent of lost pets are found within a mile of home. Start with a thorough search of your home and property, as it is not uncommon for pets to be found hidden inside their own homes. Walk your local area and speak with neighbors, letting them know your pet is missing and providing their description. Even if neighbors have not seen your pet, they will now be on the lookout and know to contact you if you pet is spotted. Tell your mailman or others that drive through your area regularly.
- Post on local Facebook groups, community groups and lost and found pages.
- If your pet is microchipped, notify the registry and microchip company. You can still update phone numbers or addresses even if the pet is missing.
- If you are in the city limits of Huntsville, call Huntsville City Police. (479)738-6556
- Fill out this form to notify us and many other local shelters and rescues of your lost pet. Please add a photo.
- Check out these sites for more help:
How to find a Lost Pet
Lost Pet Tips
Found Pets- Strays
Rescues and shelters want to help- but they are crowded and overwhelmed. If you find a stray, please take serious consideration before bringing it into your home. Don’t make the assumption a shelter can take it if no owners are found.
If you are in the city limits of Huntsville, please make reports to Huntsville Animal Control by calling the city police- (479)738-6556.
Rural Dogs
In rural areas of Arkansas, there are very few resources to help strays. Many rural dogs that appear stray have owners (yes, even the “skinny” ones). Do your due diligence before picking up a pet you think is a stray. Most counties do not have leash laws. If you don’t know the area you are in, let the locals handle it. Locals will know if a pet belongs there or is truly a stray. If you choose to take in a pet, please know MOST CITIES WILL CONSIDER A PET LEGALLY YOURS AFTER 3 DAYS. This means the pet is no longer considered a stray, but your pet and an “owner surrender” if you bring it to the shelter after these 3 days. Madison County does not have Animal Control and our waitlist is usually months long. Please fill out this waitlist form to be added to it.
Get the Word Out
Can you keep the pet in a safe space while you try to find owners? Great! If not, you probably shouldn't pick it up. Don't assume a shelter will take it. Contact local animal shelters to report a found pet. You can fill out this form to report to many local shelters and rescues at once. Post in local Facebook groups for lost/found pets. Include location where found, photos, gender, and description in your post to help the owners find them. Photos are important for getting posts seen on social media; there are other ways to check ownership.
Check for Tags or Microchip
If the pet has no collar or tags, Huntsville Vet or Paws and Claws can scan for a microchip. If chipped, they can help you contact owners! Just because a chip isn't registered, doesn't mean there isn't more information from that chip. In most cases we can find out what clinic or shelter purchased the chip and those businesses can have contact information. If you still aren't finding an owner try microchiphelp.com. They are very good at tracking down owners!
Rescues and shelters want to help- but they are crowded and overwhelmed. If you find a stray, please take serious consideration before bringing it into your home. Don’t make the assumption a shelter can take it if no owners are found.
If you are in the city limits of Huntsville, please make reports to Huntsville Animal Control by calling the city police- (479)738-6556.
Rural Dogs
In rural areas of Arkansas, there are very few resources to help strays. Many rural dogs that appear stray have owners (yes, even the “skinny” ones). Do your due diligence before picking up a pet you think is a stray. Most counties do not have leash laws. If you don’t know the area you are in, let the locals handle it. Locals will know if a pet belongs there or is truly a stray. If you choose to take in a pet, please know MOST CITIES WILL CONSIDER A PET LEGALLY YOURS AFTER 3 DAYS. This means the pet is no longer considered a stray, but your pet and an “owner surrender” if you bring it to the shelter after these 3 days. Madison County does not have Animal Control and our waitlist is usually months long. Please fill out this waitlist form to be added to it.
Get the Word Out
Can you keep the pet in a safe space while you try to find owners? Great! If not, you probably shouldn't pick it up. Don't assume a shelter will take it. Contact local animal shelters to report a found pet. You can fill out this form to report to many local shelters and rescues at once. Post in local Facebook groups for lost/found pets. Include location where found, photos, gender, and description in your post to help the owners find them. Photos are important for getting posts seen on social media; there are other ways to check ownership.
Check for Tags or Microchip
If the pet has no collar or tags, Huntsville Vet or Paws and Claws can scan for a microchip. If chipped, they can help you contact owners! Just because a chip isn't registered, doesn't mean there isn't more information from that chip. In most cases we can find out what clinic or shelter purchased the chip and those businesses can have contact information. If you still aren't finding an owner try microchiphelp.com. They are very good at tracking down owners!
