So, you have found a lost pet? Now what?

I FOUND A LOST PET!

So, You've Found a Lost Dog or Cat... Now What? How to Help:

A Few Helpful Tips to Help a Pet Get Back Home:

1st: APPROACH WITH CAUTION – Remember to Use ‘Pet Behavior; Not Human Behavior’.

Lost pets are often scared! Some pets may even be aggressive or feel threatened by new environments, people, or other pets. Remember to protect yourself too, when helping a lost dog or cat. It’s best to read the body language of the lost pet and be sure to approach slowly.. Always let the dog or cat sniff you and your hand before trying to touch them. Dogs and Cats should be approached differently. Please, use common sense and do not add to an already stressful situation for the scared pet! That being said, if you see an animal in need – do not wait for someone to help.. YOU are someone! Step up and be an advocate and aid for the voiceless.

If the Cat or Dog will come to you, they understand you are there to help! They greatly appreciate and look to YOU for safety right now.

***IF THE PET SEEMS TO BE INJURED OR SHOWING SIGNS OF DISTRESS – Please, do not hesitate and immediately call or proceed to the nearest walk-in or emergency veterinary clinic. Explain the situation, they will help the pet be more comfortable!

Florida Aid to Animals is not an emergency clinic, and therefore typically does not take walk-ins – we are a minor medical and spay / neuter practice and simply do not have the resources to help as much as a full-service veterinary practice! FATA veterinary team members WILL check for a microchip but cannot help in an emergency. Thank you for your understanding.

2nd: KEEP EVERYONE SAFE – Protect the Lost Pet, Your Own Pet(s), & Yourself Until You Can Get More Help!

Keep your own pets and family separate from the "lost" pet until you know more. They may carry diseases or parasites... wash your hands after handling the pet.

NEXT UP: HOW TO REUNITE A LOST PET WITH ITS’ FAMILY! Continue Reading…

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are so many reasons a pet could be without its owner(s)! Try not to judge the situation without all the information – perhaps the owner, too, is in distress or the family recently relocated, perhaps a fence gave way, a door was left open, or there was another incident. Please do not be quick to blame a pet owner for a loose pet! Accidents happen and you would not need the judgement in the same situation. Instead, ask “How Can I Help?” when reuniting pets with their owner(s). Please be kind when calling pet owners – they are usually scared for their pet’s safety, too!

NEXT: CHECK FOR FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION AND / OR OWNER CONTACT INFO

Look for collars, tags, anything that identifies this pet! Also, take note if any pet identifiers have owner contact information – an address or phone number. If there is contact information or an address of any kind, proceed in trying to contact the owner(s) and reuniting this fur baby with their Human(s). Always meet owners in a safe, mutual space when reuniting pets. THANK YOU for your help!

FOR CATS – Keep in mind that there is a large Feral Cat population - here in Florida, especially. Some outdoor cats may actually not have an owner.. some definitely do!

A few things to consider that will help identify WHETHER A CAT IS FERAL* OR  DOMESTIC, LOST FROM HOME OR AN OUTDOOR CAT, OWNED OR CARED FOR, OR IN NEED OF YOUR AID –

Is this a Kitten or a Cat? 

Check out this helpful guide from Alley Cat Allies, below.

kitten progression chart

Is the Cat “Ear-Tipped”?

The ear tip—where a small portion of the ear is removed while the cat is under anesthesia—serves as a universal sign that the cat has already been sterilized. An ear-tipped cat has undergone a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) procedure, which means it has been humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then returned to its outdoor home. This helps animal control officers and caregivers quickly identify which cats have been through the process, preventing unnecessary re-trapping and stress for the animal. If you see an ear-tipped cat that appears healthy and uninjured, the best thing to do is leave it where it is—it’s likely part of a managed colony and being cared for by community volunteers. 

TNR vs Lost Cat

Are there other Cats around?

Do you see visible testicles or signs of pregnancy?

The Space Coast Feline Network (SCFN) may be able to help, if resources are available.

The SCFN Helpline can be reached at 321-631-7729 or email them at: [email protected]

*Florida Aid to Animals veterinary clinics only see domestic cats and dogs.

please do not bring us any feral cats at this time. see above defined cat terminology.

NOW: CHECK FOR A MICROCHIP!

If it is safe to do so, take the Lost Pet to your nearest Veterinarian or Vet Clinic to be checked for a microchip! If you do have a scanner at home – please remember that chips can and will migrate over the years in the body so, please check the entire pet for a chip! If your local vet clinics are closed – right now you should try to keep the pet somewhere safe until a vet practice opens the next morning or day! Vet staff will assist you in getting the owner's contact information from the chip manufacturer, if available.

>>> In Brevard County, FL, you can check for a microchip at emergency stations hosted by the local Fire Departments and Police Departments, in partnership with the local SPCA. For a full list of participating stations and how to use the self-scanners, visit the SPCA of Brevard's helpful website, here. 

Yes, There was a Microchip!

  1. Hold on to the pet to reunite with the family.
  2. Match the number of the microchip to the microchip brand. View the list of microchip brands here. (PDF)
  3. Call the company that matches the microchip to file a found pet report and see if that is the registry that has the pet owner's information.

No, There was Not a Microchip!

You Still Haven’t Found the Pet’s Owner? What to Do Next:

  • Walk the Pet Around the Area Where They Were Found

If found in a neighborhood or populated area, and you are able to do so - attempt to walk the pet around to see if someone recognizes the pet.

  • CALL YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERS AND REPORT THE FOUND CAT OR DOG!

If you cannot find an owner through the steps above, phone your local animal shelter.

Brevard County Animal Services Animal Care Center

  • 5100 West Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32934
  • 321-633-2024
  • Hours of Operation
    • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11-6
    • Wednesday 1-6
    • Sunday 12-4

SPCA of Brevard Adoption Center

  • 6035 Sisson Road, Titusville, FL 32780
  • 321-567-3615
  • Hours of Operation
    • Monday-Saturday 10-5
    • Closed from 12-1 for lunch on weekdays

They may or may not have space for another lost or homeless animal at the shelter as shelters are continuously overcrowded – if you can keep the pet safe until an owner is found; they may ask you to do so. At the shelter, again – they will check for a microchip if you have not already done so! Letting the Shelter staff know that you have found a Cat or Dog matching a particular description will help reunite the pet if the owner calls the shelter looking for them! Be sure to leave your contact information at the Shelter.

  • POST A DESCRIPTION AND/OR PICTURES OF THE FOUND PET EVERYWHERE –

Put physical ‘FOUND PET’ posters in the area, asap! Hand out flyers to surrounding neighbors. Utilize your social network by posting on social media and posting again in any Pet Groups you may be in on Facebook, etc. Share a description of the Found Pet and a photo on PawBoost.com and other popular websites. NextDoor is a great tool because you are only broadcasting the post to your local community. Caution should be used in ALL online forums – particularly online marketplaces and those websites that are not specifically for the use of reuniting lost pets with their homes. Be advised that some groups will not let you post before accepting group rules or questions first, as a precaution. There IS a lot of scams involving Pets, sadly. Be advised and use good judgement in the transactions of companion animals back to their owner(s). Be smart when publicly listing contact information.

  • BE PATIENT AND KNOW THAT YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD THING.

If the owner is looking for the pet, they will get in contact with you, too! Please, wait at least two months before claiming a found pet as your own pet. In the meantime, if you still have the Dog or Cat, keep them happy, healthy, and safe while you wait to hear more about their journey. Indeed, perhaps this pet found you for a reason! We think so. THANK YOU for your help!