What to do if you find a lost pet
- Important We are not the local animal shelter. We are a rescue group with limited animal intake. We can only accept as many animals as we have available foster homes. Dial 311 for Lubbock Animal Services if you are looking for the local animal shelter or animal control. Or visit their website for more information.
- Dangerous or Injured or Loose Dog Complaint Call the local police or animal services. Dial 311 for Lubbock Police Dept. and Lubbock Animal Services. Dial 911 for emergencies. The Humane Society of West Texas does not provide animal control or pick up services for stray animals.
- Pet Cat or Dog Check for tags; even just a rabies tag number can be used to bring up owner information if you bring the animal to the vet listed on the tag. Most local vets will scan the pet for free for a microchip implant, which may be used to contact the pet's owners (this is an important step!!). Post a found pet ad on Craigslist.com, Facebook's Lost & Found Pets of Lubbock, TX, and use the Lubbock Avalanche Journal's free ad service to post both online and print ads. Be sure and submit a found pet ad to your local animal services (in Lubbock, dial 311 to reach Lubbock Animal Services). PetSmart stores also have free lost/found pet cards near the front doors. If the pet appears to have been groomed recently, try local groomers in case they recognize the pet. Be sure and ask for vet records, photos, or other verification to make sure anyone claiming the pet you found is the rightful owner-- sometimes it is helpful to conceal an identifying feature that the owner would be able to verify (like collar color, gender, distinctive markings). If all avenues have been exhausted and the true owner can't be located, you can contact us about rehoming the animal. We can only take in as many animals as we have available foster homes, so sadly we cannot take in every animal.
- Orphaned Infant Kitten or Puppy Contact us by phone (806 799 PETS) or email if you find an orphaned animal in need of bottle feeding; we can give advice. For kittens, make sure and check this article for tips to determine whether or not a kitten really is orphaned. For fastest response, contact us on Facebook. Make sure and include your telephone contact information in your message. In the meantime, call your veterinarian or look online for instructions on temporary care for the infant. Infant puppies and kittens need very intense care; they need frequent feeding and cannot regulate their own body temperature. Do not feed them cow's milk, only formula. If they are cold when found, warm them up very gradually and slowly and do not feed them for about two hours (other than a little children's Pedialyte, or a little corn syrup) because they will be unable to swallow and will choke. Don't place them directly on a heating pad or in hot water when warming them because they will burn and can heat too quickly. Seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
- Injured or Orphaned Native Wildlife Contact South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for further instructions: http://www.spwrc.org
Don't forget to check for a microchip!!
If the pet you found doesn't have any ID tags, it still might have a pet microchip implant under the skin. Most local vets will scan the pet for free for a microchip implant, which may be used to contact the pet's owners (this is an important step!!).
A microchip implant is placed under the skin of a pet. The chip is about the size of a large grain of rice and uses passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. The microchip has a number that the microchip company will then be able to look up in their information database. Theoretically the information will lead back to the owners of the pet.
A microchip cannot be tracked with GPS or by the pet's owner. The only way to get the number off of the microchip is to use a special scanner that looks like a TV remote. In Lubbock area, we have a scanner at most Humane Society adoption events. Most veterinarians have a scanner, including the Small Animal Emergency Clinic on 34th St (in case you find a pet after-hours). Most animal shelters, especially in cities and larger towns, also have scanners. The vast majority of dogs adopted from rescues or shelters will be microchipped. If the pet has a microchip it can sometimes mean a very quick return to the owners.
A microchip implant is placed under the skin of a pet. The chip is about the size of a large grain of rice and uses passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. The microchip has a number that the microchip company will then be able to look up in their information database. Theoretically the information will lead back to the owners of the pet.
A microchip cannot be tracked with GPS or by the pet's owner. The only way to get the number off of the microchip is to use a special scanner that looks like a TV remote. In Lubbock area, we have a scanner at most Humane Society adoption events. Most veterinarians have a scanner, including the Small Animal Emergency Clinic on 34th St (in case you find a pet after-hours). Most animal shelters, especially in cities and larger towns, also have scanners. The vast majority of dogs adopted from rescues or shelters will be microchipped. If the pet has a microchip it can sometimes mean a very quick return to the owners.
Sign up for our email list!
Get info about special events, fundraisers, and more!
