**PLEASE LIST ANY PET YOU FIND AND SEARCH FOR YOUR MISSING PET AT PETCO LOVE LOST**
Think we might have your pet?
We do work with Law Enforcement throughout the county and with the Hamilton City Ordinance Officer. If you think they may have brought your dog to us, check our Facebook page, link to our Facebook page is at the very bottom in the footer. All incoming animals that we do NOT know who the owner is are posted on our Facebook page the same day they arrive to us. Proof of ownership and a $25 redemption fee per animal will be required, and the animal must be picked up from us within 24 hours from the date of us receiving it. If it is not picked up within 24 hrs there will be an additional $15 per day boarding fee per kennel that we have to use to house the pet(s). For example: if we have to use two kennels it'll be $30 per day, not per pet. If the pet(s) is not claimed and picked up within 7 days of us receiving it and arrangements have not been made and agreed to by us to hold it for you longer, we will consider it abandoned and property of Hoof or Paw. We do scan all pets for a microchip at intake, if none is found we give them one. For puppies appearing under the age of 6 months old, we also provide a distemper/parvo vaccine at intake. We also provide any other treatments/care we see necessary to ensure the health and safety of all animals in our care and our volunteer staff.
What to do when your pet is missing?
Physically go down to Marion/Winston Animal Shelter at 205-487-2581 located at 1892 Co Hwy 160, Guin, AL 35563, and look for your dog.
We post on our Facebook and into Northwest Alabama Lost&Found Pets (https://www.facebook.com/groups/740341912992564/) group on Facebook ALL dogs that come into us, so check those listings. They'll also show under our Available Animals if they're in our care. We have a 10 day hold period beginning the day they come into us before they would be made available for adoption or transfer to someone else. If they're not under our Available Animals section, then we do not have them.
Search the closest neighborhoods
Ask neighbors to check garages, sheds and shops, pets can sometimes sneak around and get locked in accidentally
Hang large and brightly colored flyers around your neighborhood and be sure to include on the flyer
"LOST: Your Road or Neighborhood Name, City, County, State, last seen on MM/DD/YYYY
Physical description of your pet <include one identifying characteristic and also leave out one unique identifying factor of your pet so you can confirm identity>
Most recent clear photo of your pet showing their physical features/characteristics. Include at least one contact phone number".
Post them where people see them—at eye level, on neighborhood streets, store fronts and other public places.
Contact your county pound and give them the information on your missing pet, Marion/Winston Animal Shelter (MWAS) at (205) 487-2581, Lamar County can be emailed at info@lchspaws-al.org.
If you believe your pet may have been stolen, please contact your local law enforcement: Marion County Sheriff's Department at 205-921-7433 or you may send them an email at info@marionsoal.com
Post your missing pet on social media websites.
For missing pets, your post should read "MISSING: <name of neighborhood or street, City, County, ST>
Include the most recent, clear photo of your pet, a description of your pet leaving out one identifying detail, and at least one cell phone number that is able to accept text messages and email address if preferred"
For Facebook, make sure to post in all of the following groups.
What to do when you find a pet?
Ask around in the closest neighborhoods to see if it is anyone's missing pet
Hang large and brightly colored flyers around the area found and be sure to include on the flyer a clear photo of the pet, a description of the pet leaving out one identifying detail, and at least one cell phone number that is able to accept text messages. The flyer/social media pot shall include
"FOUND: Your Road or Neighborhood Name, City, County, State, last seen on MM/DD/YYYY
Physical description of your pet <include one identifying characteristic and also leave out one unique identifying factor of your pet so you can confirm identity>
Most recent clear photo of your pet showing their physical features/characteristics. Include at least one contact phone number".
Post them where people see them—at eye level, on neighborhood streets, store fronts and other public places.
Contact your county pound and give them the information on pet you've found, Marion/Winston Animal Shelter (MWAS) at (205) 487-2581, Lamar County can be emailed at paws4ya@outlook.com
Post the found pet on social media websites.
your post should read "FOUND: <name of neighborhood or street, City, County, ST>
Include a clear photo of the pet, a description of the pet leaving out one identifying detail, and at least one cell phone number that is able to accept text messages and email address if preferred"
For Facebook, make sure to post in all of the following groups.
Prevention
A pet (even an indoor pet) has a better chance of being returned to you if they always wear a collar and an ID tag with your name, address and telephone number. To further ensure that your pet makes their way home to you should they ever become lost, ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter to microchip them. Just be sure to keep your contact information up to date with the online microchip registry site, such as Save this Life..
Is Your Pet Lost?
A lost pet can be a frightening experience for any pet parent. Immediate action is crucial, but where do you start? Follow the steps below for the best chance of a reunion.
What to do immediately after your pet goes missing:
Walk the neighborhood: Take a walk around the immediate area and speak to any neighbors, postal service workers, landscapers, or anyone who may have seen your lost pet. You know your pet best, so look in areas that your pet may have been interested in or comfortable hiding in. Most pets are found close to home.
Share their scent: Put a couple of your pet's favorite items near the most common entry ways into your home. The front door and the door into your yard would be the best locations. You can include items like their favorite bed, blanket, toys, their litterbox (if cat) and any other items they use frequently. Their scents may help them find their way home.
Next Steps:
1. Search for your lost dog or cat on Petco Love Lost: We have partnered with Petco Love Lost to easily help search the national lost and found database and create a searchable/shareable alert for your missing pet. Upload a a picture of your pet or searching by location. Powered by facial recognition technology, Petco Love Lost helps match found animals to reported lost pets nationwide. Visit Petco Love Lost and search now!
If you haven't done so already, be sure to register your pet on Petco Love Lost to do things like create a Lost listing that can be shared and print out premade fliers. You can also receive fliers via text message or email.
2. Use the sharing features on Petco Love Lost to distribute your lost pet listing on other social media outlets like Facebook, Craigslist, and Nextdoor.
3. Make sure your pet’s microchip information is updated: If a finder takes your missing pet to be scanned for a microchip, you want to make sure that all the information is correct so that you will be contacted immediately.
4. Check with your local animal services, animal control, and animal shelters: Call to see if your missing pet is at one of these locations. An in-person trip is preferable so you can look and see if your pet is in their care. Many organizations allow you to place a lost report with them, where you can leave a photo of your pet and your contact information. ADD YOUR LOCAL SHELTER’S CONTACT PREFERENCES HERE.
5. Continue to spread the word about your missing pet: Make sure any posters or fliers made are large and bright with only relevant information on it. Place in high traffic areas and in the vicinity of where your lost pet went missing.
6. Don’t give up! Finding a lost pet can take time. Remember to regularly check websites that you have posted your lost pet on and make updates as needed. New lost and found pets are added regularly to Petco Love Lost and to your local shelters.