Losing a pet can be a distressing experience for any pet owner. Similarly, finding a lost animal can leave you wondering how to help. Orange County Animal Services is dedicated to assisting residents in Chapel Hill, NC, and the surrounding areas in reuniting lost pets with their families and caring for found animals. Understanding the proper steps to take in these situations is crucial for a positive outcome.
If You Have Lost Your Beloved Pet
If your furry companion has gone missing, immediate action is essential. Animal Services holds stray animals for a mandatory 5-day period, providing owners an opportunity to reclaim their pets. During this time, the shelter is open to the public for at least three days, making it accessible for you to search in person.
Is your lost pet possibly at our shelter? We encourage you to visit our shelter located in Chapel Hill, NC, to personally identify your pet. You can also contact us immediately at 919-942-7387, option 2. If our staff is unable to answer your call right away, please leave a detailed message with a description of your pet and your contact information. We will return your call as promptly as possible to assist you.
It’s also important to be aware that kind-hearted individuals in our community sometimes find pets and temporarily care for them at home rather than bringing them directly to the Animal Services Center. If you suspect your lost pet might be with a community member, please still contact Animal Services at 919-942-7387, option 2. We can act as a liaison to help connect you with individuals who have found pets matching your pet’s description within our network and community.
If You Have Found a Pet in Need
Discovering a lost pet can be just as concerning. If you have found a pet, it is legally required to report it within 72 hours. This timely reporting significantly increases the chances of the pet being reunited with its anxious owner.
The first crucial step is to check for a microchip. Most veterinary clinics offer microchip scanning services for found pets at no charge. Alternatively, you can contact our shelter at 919-942-7387, option 2, to schedule an appointment to have the found pet scanned for a microchip. A microchip provides vital owner information, making reunification swift and easy.
To further assist in finding the owner, you can also check our online database listings for lost pets reported in the Orange County, North Carolina area. This database may contain listings from owners actively searching for their missing companions.
Remember that not everyone may list their lost pet in our specific database. Therefore, we strongly recommend expanding your search to other online lost and found pet listing services and social media platforms dedicated to reuniting pets and owners. These broader platforms significantly increase visibility and the likelihood of a successful match.
Reporting Lost or Found Pets Effectively
To maximize the chances of reuniting lost and found pets, effective reporting is key. For residents in Orange County, North Carolina, or nearby areas, Orange County Animal Services is your primary local resource.
For Everyone:
The more avenues you utilize to report a lost or found pet, the higher the probability of a happy reunion. Take advantage of these widely used lost and found websites to both file a detailed report about a lost or found pet and actively search for pets that might match the description of the pet you’ve lost or found:
**Please note: The following websites are external resources and are not directly managed by Orange County Animal Services, NC.*
* PETCO LOVE LOST: PETCO LOVE LOST
[
* PAWBOOST: PAWBOOST
If you require direct assistance or wish to speak with someone regarding a lost or found pet situation, please do not hesitate to contact us at 919-942-7387, option 2. Leave a message if we are unable to answer immediately, and a member of our team will return your call as quickly as possible to provide support and guidance.
By working together and utilizing all available resources, we can significantly improve the chances of reuniting lost and found pets with their loving families in our community.
