Losing a lost pet can be stressful. Our Lost and Found page on Facebook . is a valuable resource for finding your pet as we post all strays as the come in. We reunite pets with their owners very often through this page. Really, more than any other method. So give the Facebook page a shot!
Unidentified pets brought to the Humane Society of Fremont County are held for five (5) business days (excluding Sundays and holidays when the shelter is closed). After the five day period has expired, by ordinance, ownership of a pet reverts to the shelter.
Also after five days, and depending on the health and behavioral status of the animal, the pet will made available for adoption, sent to a foster home, or transferred to rescue group.
Animals impounded by a law enforcement agency (i.e. Fremont County Sheriff's Office, Canon City Police Department, and other area's the shelter contracts with), may be reclaimed by the owner at the shelter within five days (not including Sundays and holidays when the shelter is closed).
Proof of PET ownership is required
In order to ensure the safety and well-being of animals in our care, we require proof of ownership to be presented before releasing an animal to its owner. We accept a range of documentation as proof of ownership, such as veterinary records, photographs, registration information, or adoption paperwork.
We understand the importance of ensuring that animals are reunited with their rightful owners, and requiring proof of ownership is a critical part of this process. Without confirmation of ownership, we cannot release an animal to an individual, as this could result in animals being placed in the wrong hands or lost pets being unable to be returned to their loving homes.
Lost Pet Reclaim Fees
The owner is responsible for any and all cost incurred during your pets time away from you. Typical fees are listed below. For the protection of the animals living on-site, as well as for all impounded animal(s) protection, all incoming animals will receive, depending on the species and the age of the animal, multiple disease prevention vaccinations at the time of intake.
-
- 1st Offense.................. $40
- 2nd Offense................. $75
- 3rd Offense.................. $150
- 4th Offense.................. $240 - Animals with a 4th at-large offense may not be returned to the owner
Additional Fees
-
- Boarding fee is an additional $12 per day.
- Any routine or emergency medical costs accrued after your animal has been impounded at the shelter
- Any impound fees
- Vaccination fees of $20.00 will be due at the time of reclaim
What to Do When Your Pet is Missing
Losing a pet can be a devastating experience. Here are some important steps to take when you discover your pet is missing.
-
- Search the area where your pet was last seen; ask family, friends and neighbors for their assistance. If you've lost a cat, ask neighbors to check their garages, tool sheds and barns, as cats will often hide.
- Indoor cats may need assistance finding their way home. Place the cat's litter box or an article of your clothing outdoors to help your cat locate your home.
- Share a photo of your pet with Humane Society of Fremont County. We will post the photo on our Facebook page, other social media accounts, and on our in-house lost and found board.
- Post your pet's photo on community sites like Fremont County Lost & Found Pets or craigslist.com. Scan those groups for announcements of "found" pets.
- Post fliers at local vet clinics, feed stores and other businesses that will allow it. Post the flier on the message board at the dog park. Post the flyer everywhere that you can!
- Place a Lost Pet ad in the local newspapers.
- Check the Found Pets at Humane Society of Fremont County Facebook page daily.
- Visit the Humane Society of Fremont County every day to see if your pet is here (even if you have filed a missing report). Ask about animals in out-of-view rooms. Injured, ill, or scared animals may be kenneled in a separate area.
- Stray animals are held for five days before the shelter takes ownership (not including Sundays and holidays that the shelter is closed) . On day six, the animal may be made available for adoption, transferred to rescue, or sent to a foster home.
What to Do When You Find a Pet
Finding a lost pet can be a stressful and emotional experience for both the pet and the person who finds them. Here are some steps to follow when you find a lost pet:
-
- Approach the pet with caution: If the pet seems scared or aggressive, approach slowly and calmly. Avoid making sudden movements or loud noises that may frighten them.
- Check for identification: Look for tags or a collar on the pet that may contain the owner's contact information.
- Contact the Humane Society of Fremont County and alert us that you found a pet. We can scan the animal for a possible microchip, which will identify the owners.
- Post a photo and description of the animal along with information about where it was found and how the owners can contact you on the Humane Society of Fremont County Facebook page and other community boards. This can help to spread the word and increase the chances of finding the pet's owner.
- Check local lost and found ads: Look in local newspapers (Cañon City Daily Record, The Shopper, ect..), online classifieds, and community bulletin boards for lost and found ads. You can also post your own ad to let people know that you have found a pet.
- Provide temporary care: If you are unable to locate the owner right away, provide temporary care for the pet by providing food, water, and shelter. Keep them in a safe and secure location until their owner can be found.
- Consider taking the pet to a veterinarian: If the pet is injured or appears to be sick, take them to a veterinarian for a health check. This can also help to identify any underlying medical conditions that may require treatment.
If you witness animal abuse or neglect, call the Canon City Police Department at (719) 276-5600 or the Fremont County Sheriff's Office at (719) 276-5555. Our shelter has no police powers or police authority.
Remember, finding a lost pet can be a rewarding experience, as you are helping to reunite them with their owner. By following these steps and providing temporary care, you can help ensure that the pet is safe and well-cared for until they can be returned to their owner.
Questions About Our Reclaim Policy
Call the Humane Society of Fremont County at (719) 275-0663 during normal office hours or fill out our online contact form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Due to having a small staff, please know that a response will much quicker by phone since the main email account is not constantly monitored throughout the day.
