East Lake Pet Orphanage Admittance Form

LOST AND FOUND RESOURCES/ADOPTION ALTERNATIVES

Due to the high number of animals that so desperately need help in our community, we are not able to accept every animal that is presented to us for potential admission. Therefore, we have put together these resources to assist you. They can be used when a pet is lost or found, or many of them can also be used if you are needing to find a home for an animal.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when you have found an animal is that no matter what condition the animal is in, or how scared it may be, it should never be assumed that someone does not want or “deserve” to get the animal back. A fearful animal is not one necessarily one that has been abused—this could simply be a lost pet that is terrified at being in unfamiliar surroundings. Also, a lost animal may not have easy access to food and/or water or may be too scared to eat/drink and can lose weight or become dehydrated. It is not uncommon for a lost pet to become injured or ill while it is loose because it is actually a pampered pet that doesn’t have the skills to survive on the streets. NEVER assume that a lost pet has been dumped or abandoned until after you have exhausted all efforts to find the original owner. What looks like a homeless stray to you could be a treasured pet with a heartbroken owner desperately trying to find it.

For more information on area rescues and shelters, visit www.petfinder.com, www. Metroplexanimalcoalition.com (click on the “About Us”, then the “Members Groups” links) or www.dfwcares.org. Though www.dfwcares.org is primarily geared toward dogs, many of the shelters/rescues listed under “all breed rescue” also work with cats.

1. Have any found animals scanned for the possible presence of a microchip. This can be done at most veterinary hospitals and/or animal shelters.

2. IMMEDIATELY contact the animal control services in both your city and surrounding areas and turn in a missing or found pet report. Most shelters will hold a stray animal for 72 hours to allow the owner time to try to locate it. Visit the animal control facility as often as possible (daily visits recommended). Do not underestimate how far a lost pet may travel; you may need to notify agencies up to 30-40 miles away. FOLLOW UP ON ALL CONTACTS MADE EVERY DAY.

3. Print flyers with the description of the pet (do not give too many details, as you will need these to help determine if a found animal really belongs to the person calling; it is better to list an animal as a large black dog and have the potential owner tell you if it is male or female, breed, spayed or neutered, any distinguishing marks, etc.), the date lost, the area where lost, and your home and work numbers. Post flyers at major intersections in your area. (The SPCA of Texas advises that you NOT give the name of the pet; once the pet is called by its name, it may not feel “lost.”) Do not give out the pet’s value as this may bring out ransom calls or identify the pet as a valuable bargain for the person who has found the animal. If you receive a ransom demand, do not meet the person who has found the animal. Instead, contact your local police department.

4. If your missing pet has a microchip or tattoo, notify that registry. The following companies will register an existing tattoo and/or microchip: AKCCAR at 1-800-252-2894, will register any tattoo and/or microchip for a one time fee (life-time registration) National Dog Registry at 1-800-NDR-DOGS, will register any type of tattoo on a pet (life-time registration) Tattoo-a-Pet at 1-800-TAT-TOOS, will register your pet’s tattoo (life-time registration); 24 hour, 7 day a week hotline

5. Call FIND-A-PET at (214) 827-HELP (4357) and turn in a report. Their website is www.find-a-pet.org. This service tracks animals at the SPCA of Texas, Dallas Animal Services and three other shelters.

6. Call SPCA of Texas at McKinney (972) 562-7387 and turn in reports. The SPCA acts as a rescue organization in relation to approximately 30 animal control services in the Texas area. Calling the Humane Society of North Texas (214) 350-7387 is recommended for those living in the Fort Worth area.

7. Check newspaper ads under “Lost and Found Pets” and place ads in daily and weekly papers. Keep in mind that people who have found a pet may not be familiar with their breeds so check on ones that are reasonably similar to an animal that you have lost.

8. Notify your regular veterinary facility as they may be called if the missing pet was wearing a Rabies vaccination/license tag on the collar. Notify other nearby veterinarians, also.

9. Contact the City of Dallas Animal Control Lost Pet Hotlines: Forney Road Shelter: (214) 670-8389 Oak Cliff Shelter: (214) 670-1965

10. Visit area shelters and talk to personnel. They may not be able to recognize your pet by your description, so take a photo with you.

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