Found a Lost Dog in Evansville? Here’s What You Should Do

If you ever find a stray animal, here is what you should and should not do.

Evansville Has Resources to Reunite Lost Pets with Owners

It's every pet parent's worst nightmare - their beloved companion gets loose, and gets lost. Here in Evansville there are several resources to help reunite a lost pet with its owner, including making sure your pet is microchipped.

Social Media Can Be a Great Tool to Help Reunite Lost Pets

Additionally, the online community has proved to be a valuable resource when it comes to reuniting lost pets. There are a few different Facebook pages dedicated to just that - lost pets. People can share photos of their lost pets, but also people can share photos of the animals that they find running loose. A lot of times the online resource results in a prompt reunion.

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If You Find a Lost Animal in Evansville, Do Not Do This!

Sometimes a well-meaning human may not know what to do if they find a lost animal. Imagine you found a dog, and then because you could not keep it yourself, you gave it away to someone else. It might seem like no big deal, but this actually violates city animal ordinances.

A Microchip Scan Should Be First Priority

So what is the right thing to do in this situation? If you find an animal, it should immediately be taken to Evansville Animal Care and Control or an area veterinarian to be scanned for a microchip. If a chip is located, the owners should be contacted.

Evansville City Ordinance Requires You Contact Animal Control within 48 Hours

If the animal does not have a chip, or the owners cannot be contacted, the next step is to take the animal to Evansville Animal Care and Control. In fact, according to the Section C of Evansville City Ordinance, Animal Control should be contacted within 48 hours of finding the animal.

(1) Persons finding a stray animal shall notify Animal Care and Control within 48 hours of finding the animal. Animal Care and Control shall inspect or scan the animal to determine ownership. Animal Care and Control shall return the animal to its rightful owner.

Evansville Has a Seven-Day Stray Hold

Additionally, any person who finds a stray animal is expected to follow all rules and regulations. The city ordinance does state that after 7 days, the person who found the animal may be allowed to then keep the animal.

(3) Persons finding an animal are obligated to comply with all rules and regulations of this chapter pertaining to humane care and treatment of animals while said animal is in their custody awaiting return of the animal to its actual owner. After seven days, the finder may keep the animal if he obtains the necessary permits or licenses required by this chapter or upon a determination by a court of law if ownership is contested. Persons who retain the animal accept the responsibilities as a custodian of the animal.

Animal Control Is Usually the First Place Owners Look

Aside from abiding by city ordinance, by taking a lost animal to Animal Control, you actually improve its chances of being reunited with its owner, as Animal Control is usually the first place an owner goes to locate their beloved pet.

[Source: City of Evansville]