'Lost Pet' Policy Explained By Local Animal Authority

Southwest Communities Animal Shelter in Wildomar receives calls daily from pet owners looking for their lost dogs or cats.

Shelter staff makes every effort to match an owner and lost pet, but it is ultimately the owner who is responsible to search.

“An animal enters the shelter and is immediately scanned for a microchip,” shelter staff explained. “If we have the information in the system, we call the owner. We also send out a notification postcard to (the address on file). If there are tags on the animal, and we have the information in our system, we call the owner.

“If the animal has no microchip or tags, we provide the health check and take a picture of the animal. Within 24 hours those pictures are put on our website under the Lost and Found page. They are also posted on www.petfinder.com. 

“We hold the animal for four days as a holding period for the owner to come forward to claim their animal. If the owner is known, we hold the animal for 10 days.

“If no owner comes forward after four days, that animal is considered (the shelter’s) property. On the fifth day we call breed rescues. If the animal does not go to (a) rescue, we put (it) up for adoption to the public. We also euthanize if we determine the animal is not suitable for adoption due to illness.”

If an animal isn’t retrieved or placed after a period of time, it will be euthanized to make room for new arrivals.

Here are some tips for finding lost dogs and cats:

1. Contact the shelter in person and file a lost pet report. Check back daily by walking the shelter and browse the shelter’s online Lost and Found page daily.

2. Distribute fliers throughout the community depicting a current photo of your dog or cat. Write MISSING DOG or CAT in bold letters with easy-to-read contact information.

3. Utilize online pet Lost and Found sites. Social networking sites can also be helpful to get information out to your community.  

4. Stay positive and proactive in your search. Pets have been returned to owners days, weeks and even months later.

5. Tag your animal with contact information and get it microchipped. Collars can get lost or taken off. If your pet is collared, tagged and chipped, your chances of finding him increase greatly. 

6. Keep your pet secure in a fenced yard. Lock all gates and be careful with visitors. Maintenance crews, gardeners and pool service people are often cited for accidently letting dogs out.

7. Spay and neuter your animals, and get them registered. Owners will pay fines when retrieving unaltered and/or unregistered animals from the shelter.

Looking for a new companion? Check out the attached photo gallery of just some of the unwanted pets at that are seeking loving homes.