Finding someone's pet or losing your own is always an anxiety-racing event. PAWS has tips below on what you should do in either scenario.
Lost & Found
If you have FOUND a pet, we recommend you do the following:
Check with neighbors to see if they are missing a pet. So many times pets merely wonder a few doors down, so you can help get a pet home as quickly as possible by knocking on a few doors.
Check for tags/identification. If the pet has ID, contact the family to alert them their pet is in your possession.
If the pet has no ID, take the pet to a local veterinarian or bring it to us at the PAWS Humane Center to be scanned for a microchip.
Always report a found pet to PAWS and other area shelters Animals missing from Dearborn County may easily cross county lines or be picked up by someone passing through the area.
Other local shelters:
Check Eagle Radio Pet Patrol (above link) and check the “lost” ads in the newspapers.
Post the found pet’s photo and information on your Facebook, PAWS Facebook, twitter and other social media page.
If you have LOST a pet, we recommend you do the following:
Hurry! Don’t delay in looking for your lost pet.
It’s important for you to call the PAWS Humane Center right away and visit in person.
Remember to check back daily as we take in animals each and every day. One of them may be yours.
Visit all the local animal shelters to look for your pet because animals can wander far from home. Animals missing from Dearborn County may easily cross county lines or be picked up by someone passing through the area.
Notify friends and neighbors that your pet is lost. Post fliers in the area where you lost your pet.
Contact veterinary practices in your area. They may have a Lost and Found bulletin board in their offices.
Check Eagle Radio Pet Patrol. Read the “found” ads, and take out a “lost” ad in the newspapers.
Post your pet’s photo and information on your facebook, PAWS Facebook, twitter and other social media pages
And finally: When your pet comes home, have them Microchipped. PAWS Humane Center offers microchipping for $25.00 per pet.
Make sure your pet wears a current county license tag (for dogs), rabies tag and an ID tag with your present address and phone numbers. – and your address and phone numbers are on file with the veterinarian who provided your pet’s most recent vaccinations.
It is very hard for pets who are surrendered by their owners to adjust to a shelter environment.
The comfort of home is all they’ve ever known, so they often become depressed and can even become aggressive. For the well being of your pet, surrendering him or her to a shelter should be an absolute last resort.
Because we are almost always at capacity, we ask that you put forth every possible effort to find a home for your pet. Contacting rescue groups, friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members may be options if you can no longer keep or care for your pet.
Getting a pet you cannot keep into a rescue is always a better alternative to surrendering them to a shelter. Most rescues keep pets in a foster home until they can be placed permanently so they don’t have to deal with the stressful environment of living in a kennel or risk exposure to illness or disease that is unavoidable in an animal shelter.
PAWS Humane Center only accepts pets surrendered (Owner Surrender) from residents of Dearborn County, Indiana. If you would like to surrender your pet, we ask that you contact us at (812) 577-0829 to make arrangements, as an appointment is required. Be sure to come prepared with vaccination records to help expedite the processing of your pet. Persons who surrender their owned animals to the PAWS
Humane Center are asked to pay:
For each dog it is $40.00
For each cat it is $40.00
For a litter of puppies or kittens – $60.00 plus $40 for an adult cat/dog
Surrender a Pet
Things to Consider BEFORE you Surrender Your Pet:
Pets who are surrendered are more susceptible to illness and depression. They grieve the loss of their families and often stop eating or contract an upper respiratory infection. Senior pets are in the most danger of falling ill or giving up. And while we will most certainly treat them for any illness they contract, whether or not they overcome it is often up to the state of their emotional well-being.
Below are some possible resources, alternatives and points to consider before you surrender your pet:
Behavior concerns:
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Dogs who are suddenly reactive or even aggressive to other dogs or cats in the home or in public
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Separation anxiety
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Basic obedience challenges (house and crate training, jumping up on people, marking, leash manners—too hard to walk)
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Excessive barking
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Fearful of new people/strangers
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Dominance over children, adults or other pets in the home
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Jealousy
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Cats urinating outside the litter box/marking
Allergies – While it is not uncommon for an individual to be allergic to cats and dogs, they are not always the culprit when it comes to irritated eyes, sinuses and itchy skin. Every spring and summer when the pollen count begins to rise, we see an influx of animals surrendered due to allergies. We find many pet owners automatically jump to the conclusion that pets are to blame for allergies without doing the proper testing or considering seasonal allergies. A simple blood test can determine if you are allergic to pet dander. We encourage you to take that step before assuming the pet you’ve lived with for all these years is now the cause of your sniffles. Here are some additional pointers on how to help control pet related allergies: www.webmd.com/allergies/features/how-pets-allergies-can-go-hand-in-paw.
New baby – We are constantly amazed by the number of dogs and cats who are surrendered not only when the new baby arrives, but sometimes when they get the news! For many couples, they assume a baby cannot safely co-exist with a pet. Not so! While there are certainly dogs, and cats for that matter, who would not be appropriate for young children, we urge you to speak with us regarding your pet’s temperament so we can help you determine if they would be suitable and how to do a proper introduction.
We’re moving – Your pet is depending on you to take him or her with you every single time life takes you in a new direction. In fact, their lives depend on it. Surrendering your pet, especially an older one, is very hard on them both physically and emotionally. There are countless options for rental properties that allow pets, and those who have no breed or size restrictions. And while there may be some pet rent or a deposit to pay, isn’t that part of the lifelong commitment you made to your loyal companion? The price they may end up paying is far greater. Please, before you sign a lease, make sure you have confirmed that your pet is welcome too.
I don’t have enough time – “I’m traveling more with my job.” “I’m so busy with the kids.” “It’s just not fair to our dog to leave him at home for 10 hours a day.” “He’ll be so much better off here at the shelter than alone at home.” Trust me, if your dog could talk, he would say, “I DON’T MIND BEING AT HOME FOR 10 HOURS! Please don’t leave me here!” Think about it. As long as your dog is getting companionship after your work day, they are loved and getting the care they need, why in the world would they be better off sitting in a shelter where they will get depressed, and may wait months for a home? If you’re traveling or busy with the kids, what about a doggy daycare facility or an in-home pet sitter? If you really want to keep your pet, there is a way. We are here to help you find the best possible solution
OAR: Ohio Alleycat Resourse – operates a high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter clinic for cats only, with licensed veterinary staff. They provide services for pet, stray, and feral cats.
UCAN: United Coalition for Animals –Low-Cost Spay/Neuter for Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. UCAN operates a low-cost spay/neuter clinic to service pet owners, people caring for free-roaming cats, rescue groups, and animal shelters within a 75 mile radius of the clinic.
Spay & Neuter
