If you've lost your pet...

Since we receive hundreds of stray animals a month, we require that you file a Lost Pet report in-person. You should also review photos of stray animals we are currently caring for. After checking the photos on our Website and you think your pet may be here, go to About Us for our hours and Contact Us for a map. This listing is updated hourly, but may not include animals currently under medical treatment or DOA animals.

In general, impounded animals are held for 4 business days, not counting the day of arrival, Sundays, Mondays, or holidays. We recommend you visit our agency 3 times a week. After the impoundment period, animals are evaluated for health and behavior and at that time, may be re-homed, transferred to another agency, placed into foster care, or euthanized.

Other steps you should take to find your pet are:

• Check other animal shelters in this region. Sonoma County Animal Care & Control has jurisdiction over stray animals throughout the unincorporated portion of the County, the Town of Windsor, Cloverdale and the City of Santa Rosa, but four other shelters in the County have jurisdiction over strays found within various city limits.
   
• At the shelter(s) also review the "Found Pet" and deceased animal reports.
   
• Post signs around your neighborhood and at local veterinary hospitals. If possible, include a color picture of your pet as well as detailed description, lost date and location.
   
• Place an ad in the Press Democrat (707-546-7355), your local newspaper and post on Craigslist.
   
• Check ads in newspapers, shelter websites and on-line Found Pet ads daily.
   
• Canvas a three-block radius from your home (cover much more area if your pet is unaltered or frightened) and talk to your neighbors. Someone may have some helpful information about your lost pet.
   
• Check with all local veterinarians to see if any injured stray animals fitting your pet’s description have been brought in, or if someone has posted a found animal flyer there.
   
• If you've lost your cat, remember that she is a nocturnal animal, so try searching later in the day when she's more likely to be awake.
   
• Call Pet Finders (800-274-2556) – which for a fee will call neighbors in the area where the animal was lost.

Most importantly, keep actively searching for your pet.  Animals turn up at shelters weeks, and sometimes months, after they've been lost.  Likewise, finders will sometimes not report a wandering animal to us until weeks after it first appeared in their neighborhood.

...And after you do find your pet:

• Microchip your animal.  Microchips are available at the Sonoma County Animal Shelter for just $20.00 No appointment is needed!
   
• Confine your pet and if necessary, explore training or behavior modification to prevent future escaping.
   
• Be sure your pet is always wearing a collar and ID tag.
   
• Spay or neuter: Sterilized animals are less likely to roam and won’t contribute to pet overpopulation. Call 707-579-SPAY for information on spay/neuter assistance.

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