Here are some guidelines to help you find your lost pet:

 

1.     Be persistent!!  Often times, well meaning people will keep or feed a lost pet at their house for an extended period before turning the dog or cat into the county pound or humane organization.

2.     Call the Lost Cat & Dog Line at 781-4407 EVERY DAY.  This recording gives a complete list and description of most animals picked up and brought into the shelter during the preceding 24 hour period.  Call each day after 6:00 p.m. for the most recent recording.

3.     Go to the County Animal Shelter (aka the Pound) (Animal Regulation) at least every 72 hours.  Only you can positively identify your pet.  As much as the volunteers would like to help you, they cannot identify your animal over the phone.  Unlicensed stray dogs and cats are only required to be held 72 hours before they are euthanized.  Most animals are never claimed, and if they cannot be adopted out, they are euthanized.

4.     Contact the ARF Volunteer office at 781-4413.  Their office hours are 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with a message recorder when they are out.  Leave a complete description of the lost or found animal.

5.     Check all local rescue groups as many of us rescue from the County Animal Shelter and some well-meaning citizens will take found animals to a rescue group.  Local Rescue groups:

• ARF (see #4 above)

• SLO County Animal Services main office 805-781-4400

• Dog Rescue Network 805-461-8453

• Feline Network 805-549-9CAT

• HART 805-927-RESQ (7377)

• North County Humane Society 805-466-5403

• POUNCE 805-528-2917

• Second Chance at Love 805-434-3982

• VFA/Tails (Jamie) 805-544-7387

• Woods Humane Society 805-543-9316

6.     Send in a notice to your local newspapers or radio station.

7.     Make up fliers with your pet’s description (with a picture if possible), including sex, color, tags, collars or distinguishing characteristics, the area lost and your information for someone to contact you.  Post the notices on ends of streets, bulletin boards, County Animal Regulation Lost & Found, veterinarians, all local groups listed in # 5, schools, and talk with nearby neighbors and kids.  If you live in an apartment complex, post notices by the mailboxes and laundry rooms. Making flyers is probably the best/quickest way to find your pet.

8.     If you have recently moved, leave notices with neighbors in your old neighborhood, and check with animal agencies in that area.  Visit old address if possible.  Leave some things out in the yard with your scent (clothing, shoes, etc.). Also continue to leave out food.

9.     If you have lost a purebred dog, check with the local rescue groups in # 5, who have a breed rescue list for California.  HART has one.

10. Make sure that all current/correct information is on file for Dog License Tags and/or rabies tags and other traceable information.

11. On foot, check your area often.  Also check the area at night.  If your pet is in an area not familiar to it, it will only come out when it is quiet.  Again, leave an article of clothing in the area and check it at night to see if the animal responded.  Leave food out, too.

12. Above all… BE PERSISTENT!!