What to do when you find a lost pet
Below is our quick graphic of what to do as soon as you have found someone's lost pet. Further below are our detailed lists of information that can help you find their owner (where our graphic does not have active links, those links are included in the section below).
Don't forget to message our facebook page, Find Toby in PA with the details needed to create a post: a photo of the found pet, City & State where found, streets at the nearest intersection, date found, a contact number we can include in our post. Additional information which is helpful - Pet gender, if wearing collar/tags, if checked for a microchip.
Find Toby in PA provides links to outside sources & businesses as a reference. We do not endorse any business but wish to provide our followers with as much information and additional resources as we can
ID Pet & Owner Tips
-
If you have any concerns that someone claiming a pet you have found is not the rightful owner - contact local police or turn the pet in to a licensed facility: Licensed Kennels Approved to Accept Dogs Running at Large
-
File Reports
-
File Report and Go In Person List to your nearby shelters: Licensed Kennels Approved to Accept Dogs Running at Large
-
Universal Microchip Chip Search - American Animal Hospital Association (also check our page on microchipping)
-
Additional Resources to list a found pet
Help for Cats
Search Tools
Raise awareness in your area of the found pet with Intersection Alerts, Car Tagging (look for Window Markers for Cars or Glass) & Highly visible posters/flyers
Don't Assume
-
An animal is being mistreated based on it's current condition ~ it may have a medical condition or been lost for a long time
-
A pet has been dumped/ abandoned
-
"Finders Keepers" - Too many people believe they can keep a pet they have found without making any effort to locate the owner. This belief is not in the best interest of the owner or of the pet, and it is against the law. Although we treat pets as family members, legally they are property and treated as such in a dispute. You can read more at Mission Reunite.
-
If you haven't seen a flyer or online post, that the pet does not have a owner looking for them (see below).
