Lost a Pet?
Is your pet missing? Here’s what you should do:
- Check in person to see if your pet was turned in as a stray. This is the fastest way to ensure your pet returns home. You should check back every 2-3 days until you find your pet.
- File a Lost Pet Report. If you visit the shelter in person, we will have you fill one of these out before looking for your pet. This will help us keep an eye out if your pet is turned in later.
- If your pet is microchipped, contact the microchip company to ensure that your contact information is current.
- Post flyers around the area where your pet was lost. Be sure to include a color picture and date/area where they went missing.
- Keep an eye on Craigslist, Facebook and local newspapers.
Please bring one of the following as proof of ownership: rabies certificate, veterinary records, photo(s).
Stray animals with no microchip are held for 5 days. Stray animals with a microchip are held for 14 days before they may be adopted by a new family. It’s important to check back regularly.
There are fees to reclaim your pet. Fees vary depending on how your animal was brought to the shelter, length of stay and procedures required by law prior to being released from custody.
Found a Pet?
Did you find a stray cat or dog in your community? Here’s what you should do:
- Visit a local veterinary office or Dorchester Paws to have the pet scanned for a microchip.
- Visit Dorchester Paws and have someone look through recent lost pet reports to see if someone is looking for the pet you found.
- File a Found Pet Report at Dorchester Paws.
- Post flyers at local veterinary offices, pet shops and animal shelters.
- You can also try searching Craigslist Lost & Found or checking local lost pet pages on Facebook.
If you are unable to care for the pet that you’ve found while you try to find its owner, stray pets can be turned in to Dorchester Paws during our hours of operation for admissions. We accept stray pets from 12-4 pm every day except Wednesday and Sunday.
Leaving a Found Pet at Dorchester Paws
When you arrive at Dorchester Paws, please enter our admissions office through the front of the building. Our staff will ask you questions about where and when the animal was found, explain the admitting process and how you can further assist finding the pet’s home.
If the animal appears sick, injured or aggressive, please call Dorchester County Animal Control immediately at (843) 563-0015.
Do not leave an animal at Dorchester Paws after hours. If you are unable to care for a pet you have found until morning, please call Dorchester County Animal Control.