Help! I've found a stray or lost animal!
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According to the law, found animals must be turned over to local authorities (animal shelter, pound) if the county in which they are found has an animal control.
This enables owners who might be looking for them to claim them. One of the primary reasons why lost animals are not reunited with owners is that the animal shelter is the first (and primary) location where owners search, but it is typically the last location where found animals are taken (due to the rescuers fear that the animal will be euthanized). All found (stray) animals taken to animal are help for a waiting period to allow owners to locate their pets |
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Local Animal Services
Richmond county
Augusta Animal Services
4164 Mack Lane Augusta GA 30906
706-790-6836
4164 Mack Lane Augusta GA 30906
706-790-6836
columbia county
aiken county
Aiken County Animal Shelter
333 Wire Rd Aiken SC 29801
803-642-1537
333 Wire Rd Aiken SC 29801
803-642-1537
burke county
Burke County Animal Services
485 Ga Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830
762-225-6462
485 Ga Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830
762-225-6462
Rescue Groups
Many people immediately want to reach out to a rescue group. Please note that by Georgia Laws of Agriculture rescues are not allow to take in strays. And more than likely the rescue group is already overwhelmed with animals in their care. Many people hear this phrase, “We are full!” And immediately become critical of the rescue. But the statement is not a means to deceive you! While we want to help every animal, we do not always have the room or resources.
People seem to think that rescue groups have an abundance of space for animals when there are very few rescues with a facility. If they have a facility the rescue probably has spent every penny on the animals in that locale. Most rescues are foster based. This means that they have folks in the community willing to make the animal a part of their household until a fur-ever home can be found. Some rescues have the financial means to support the fosters by providing food and taking care of vetting needs - others do not. You might be able to connect with a rescue group and become a foster for this particular animal which means the animal would live with you and the rescue would commit to helping support you and promote the adoption of the animals.
People seem to think that rescue groups have an abundance of space for animals when there are very few rescues with a facility. If they have a facility the rescue probably has spent every penny on the animals in that locale. Most rescues are foster based. This means that they have folks in the community willing to make the animal a part of their household until a fur-ever home can be found. Some rescues have the financial means to support the fosters by providing food and taking care of vetting needs - others do not. You might be able to connect with a rescue group and become a foster for this particular animal which means the animal would live with you and the rescue would commit to helping support you and promote the adoption of the animals.
If you are not willing to take the animal to the authorities:
If you make the choice to save an animal off the street please know that this may mean a several month commitment on your part if you choose not to take the animal to the local authorities.
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Create a FOUND flyer and post it on a bulletin board at the animal shelter/pound and within the neighborhood in which you found the animal.
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Use social media like Facebook, Nextdoor, etc. to help reconnect owners with pets. There are several lost and found sites on social media where you can post the animal. Additionally, Your local Humane Societies will often do a courtesy post.
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Check the area where you found the animal for any LOST flyers, but understand that the animals can travel quite far. No flyer does not necessarily mean there is no owner or that the owner does not care.
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Be sure to check back in the area and within at least a one-mile radius for LOST posters for up to 7-10 days after you found the animal. There are various circumstances (health problems, being out of town, etc.) that can prevent people from posting lost pet flyers immediately.
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Check the animal for ID tags or tattoos (inside the ear or on inner legs). Take the animal to the closest veterinarian and have the animal scanned for a microchip. These tiny computer chips contain identification information injected under skin of pets. This information once detected by a special reader can help reunite owner and pet.
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Check the “lost & found” ads on Craigslist, the Iwanta, and the local paper. You can also place a “found” ad yourself. Check periodically! If the description in a lost ad doesn’t perfectly fit the animal you’ve found, call anyway. Many owners have a false assumption regarding the breed of their pet.
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Tips
There are unsavory people who try to claim animals that are not theirs so taking photos that hide the sex, removing collars found on the animal, and being a little elusive in your description will require people who respond to your ad to provide more detailed information in order to claim the animal. You can also ask for photographs or other proof such as records. You can search that person’s FB page (or other social media) to see if there are pictures of the animal with the family. If there is no paperwork or photos, then ask him or her to meet you at your veterinarian’s office or the vet’s office where they take the animal. If you don’t meet at a vet’s office, be sure to take a second person with you and make sure to meet in a public location. Let someone at home know exactly where you will be going.