LOST OR FOUND A PET? Here's what to know and what to do.
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1) BE PREPARED. Pets do sometimes escape, wander off and/or get lost from even the best of pet owners. Have multiple ways for people to identify your pet so it can get returned quickly. Have a secure collar with an ID tag PLUS microchip your pets. Microchips can be inserted for less than $30 at most vets, animal shelters, or various vaccination clinics that are held periodically. They can be a life saver! IMPORTANT: Keep the microchip information current and double check it with the provider, many owners fail to update phone numbers and addresses over time thus leaving the microchip useless. Not sure yours is correct? Have your vet read the chip to find out. |
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| 2) QUICKLY get the word out that your pet is missing. PUT UP POSTERS - use paint for lettering instead of markers so the wording can be seen very clearly by a busy passerby. Add a picture or even a drawing of your pet, the bigger the better. Also, waterproof your sign using contact paper, plastic, or even packaging tape so that it holds up and can be useful for as long as necessary. (*Please remember to take down your signs when your pet is returned.) MAKE USE OF ONLINE ADS - Place ads on Craig's list http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/, the local paper www.mysa.com, and on http:/www.salostpets.com. Be sure to attached your pet's picture. Lost and Found pet ads are FREE. The most current ads are listed first so if your pet is not found soon be sure to place new ads after a few days. CONTACT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE - Be proactive in getting the word out to others. Contact area vets, animal shelters, rescue groups, and neighbors that your pet is missing. For speed phone everyone first but then follow up with a visit to the vet offices and animal shelters with a flyer in hand so that your pet can be easily remembered should it appear to someone. Hooves and Paws Veterinarian - 210-695-4411 Hill Country Animal Hospital - 210-695-4455 Helotes Park Animal Hospital -210-695-3558 Helotes Animal Control - 210-695-8877, ext. 8 Helotes Humane Society - 210-422-6242, this is a volunteer organization and they do not have a permanent location but operate with area foster homes. Animal Care Services - 210-207-4738. Lost, abandoned, or stray animals picked up in the Helotes area may easily and quickly end up with Animal Care Services in San Antonio. Some pets are listed on their website http:/www.salostpets.com. Call, view the website, and go there in person often. FIND TOTO calling service - This service will call 250-10,000 home phone numbers within a radius specific radius for a fee to let others know your pet is missing. Note that they can't call unlisted numbers, cell phones, or those registered on the Do Not Call list but this option could be useful in many cases. www.findtoto.com |
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3) DON'T GIVE UP - Expand your search as much as needed, including flyers on cars at local businesses. With owner persistence many pets are found even after lengthy absences. |
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1) Don't assume the animal you see wandering does not need help. Any dog or cat on the street is a potential problem that may result in injuries to the animal, a traffic accident, or harm to children or other pets. If you see an unfamiliar dog or cat take the time to investigate for any issues that may be present or likely. |
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| 2) Contain the animal if you can. Do not put yourself in harm's way but if you can securely contain an animal please do so. Be sure to keep it away from your other pets since you cannot be sure how either party will react. Immediately look for ID tags, if the tags are there and the number is good your job is done. |
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| 3) Check for a microchip. Most vets will search for and read a microchip for free. Just call first to make sure you can bring the animal in right then or arrange a time. If a microchip is found and the information stored on it is current then there can be a happy ending. Hooves and Paws Veterinarian - 210-695-4411 Hill Country Animal Hospital - 210-695-4455 Helotes Park Animal Hospital -210-695-3558 Helotes Animal Control - 210-695-8877, ext. 8 |
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4) Put up posters and post online ads. If there are no ID tags or microchip put up posters in the general area you found the dog and/or where it will get the most views. Place FOUND ads online http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/, http://www.mysa.com, and http:/www.salostpets.com. Try to attached a picture of the pet. Lost and Found pet ads are FREE. Note in the ad that you will only give the dog to an owner who can identify it. There are people who will take "free" animals with the intent of harming them or using them in dog fights as bait animals. Do not give the animal to someone whose intent you can't be sure of. |
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| 5) Contact local area shelters and rescue groups. They may know of someone who is looking for the pet you found or they may be able to direct you to further leads and options. |
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NO OWNER FOUND - NOW WHAT? |
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| If you have exhausted all avenues for finding an owner and you need to find placement for the dog or cat. | ||
| 1) Find a new home for the pet. Ask friends, family, co-workers if they are interested. |
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| 2) Contact all area shelter groups to see if there are any that can accommodate your foundling. Most often the answer will be no since space is at a premium but it is worth it to keep trying. Some breeds, ages, and sizes are easier to place than others. You can even expand your shelter search to Austin and Houston. Do a pet search on http://www.petfinder.com to see names of all rescue groups operating in the area you want and handling the pet type you have found. They can give you tips on finding a new forever home. |
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| 3) Animal Control and Animal Care Services - If you live in Helotes, Animal Control will address strays or animals creating a hazard, 210-695-8877, ext. 8. For areas outside Helotes city limits, Animal Care Services of San Antonio is contracted by the county to handle stray animal calls. They will come and pick up strays but calls outside San Antonio are likely to be low on their to do list and you could be waiting a long while. The other option is to deliver the dog/cat to them but you will need to call first (210) 207-4738 for that option. Realize that due to the high animal population this option will usually result in the animal being put down. |
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| 4) Be a foster home for animal in question - If you can keep the pet for an extended time you may find a new owner by working with the rescue groups and making use of their contacts, outreach, adoption events and low cost spay and neuter options. Rescue groups sometimes pay significantly lower fees for spaying and neutering and can set up appointments for you at the clinics if the homeless animal needs this service. In the meantime, work with the pet to train it or improve on house manners, walking on leash, commands, tricks, etc. to greatly increase its chances for a new owner. | ||
SNAP
San Antonio Surgery and Wellness Clinic
6758 Ingram Rd.
Phone 210-673-7722
SPAY-NEUTER SURGERY: Tuesday through Saturday - By appointment only which can be set up on line.
http://www.snapus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=San_Antonio_Surgery_and_Wellness_Clinic
SPAYSA
1615 S. Laredo St. San Antonio, TX. 78207
(210)351-SPAY (7729)
SPAY-NEUTER SURGERY: Mon - Fri 6:30am to 5:30pm - By appointment only which can be set up on line.
http://www.animalresource.org/
Humane Society of Bexar County
SPAY-NEUTER SURGERY: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays by appointment only. Please call 210-226-7461 ext 127 to schedule an appointment.
http://www.sahumane.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=72&Itemid=87
*Feral Cats can be trapped spayed/neutered and released for low fee or even no fee. Visit San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition website for more information.
http://www.sanantonioferalcats.org/
Low cost vaccinations and microchips
Vanguard Veterinary Associates, P.C.
Clinics held at various locations across the city, visit website for the upcoming dates and locations.
http://www.lowcostvacc.com/
Hooves and Paws Veterinary Clinic (210)-695-4411
16060 1 Bandera Road
Hill Country Animal Hospital (210)-695-4455
12410 Bandera Road
Helotes Park Animal Hospital (210)-695-3558
14790 Bandera Road
I-10 Pet Emergency (210)-691-0900 website: http://i10petemergency.com/
W. I-10 and Huebner Rd.
Please be aware that most small rescue groups are volunteer only so the names and contact information may change frequently, if you don't get through using the number listed do a current search on http://www.petfinder.com/ and/or request referrals from other shelters and groups
Information provided by BEST FRIEND SITTERS
Serving Helotes Texas
This is intended as a general guideline only.
updated 2/2010