Did You Find a Pet?

If you have spotted a lost dog, most likely the owner is within a two-mile radius. Follow these steps to help reunite a lost dog with its owner!

  1. Do not approach any animal that is showing signs of aggression. If you find an animal that is not safe to handle or injured, please call Henderson County Animal Control immediately: 828-697-4912
  2. If the animal is friendly, check to see if the dog has any ID tags on it. If yes, reach out to them immediately. If the dog has a rabies tag but not an owner ID tag, call the vet number listed on the rabies tag. You can provide the vet clinic the tag number and they should be able to provide the owner information and the dog’s name.
  3. If the dog doesn’t have any identification, remember that most dogs are found two miles from home. Either walk around with the dog on a leash or drive around your neighborhood/location the dog was found. Ask nearby neighbors if they are missing their dog and/or if they recognize the dog.
  4. Get the dog scanned for a microchip. You can get an animal scanned for a microchip at Henderson County Animal Services or any vet office.
  5. Make a found pet report with Henderson County Animal Services Center at 828-697-4723. Be ready to provide where you found the dog, the date, the sex of the animal, any collar description, the estimated size of the dog, and the fur color and length. This report must be made and be on file for 10 days before keeping, or rehoming the dog.
  6. Take a photo of the dog, to share on your personal social media and the various Lost and Found Pages. Post the animal’s photo, date found, location found, your contact information.
  1. Research shows that finders of animals are much more successful in reuniting found pets over an animal shelter. Contact Blue Ridge Humane Society for more tips or if you need supplies to temporarily house the dog until an owner or new home is found.
  2. Check back with HCASC after 10 days to make sure a match/owner has not been found. If not, go to https://home-home.org/ and create a profile for the dog. This is a great resource in finding a new home!

Cats

If you have spotted a cat, chances are the cat is owned by a neighbor nearby. Unlike dogs, cats have a wide spectrum of ownership – from wild outdoor and feral, outdoor only pet, indoor/outdoor, to an indoor kitty that is lost. It is difficult to judge and know where on the spectrum the cat you see lives. Most cats are NOT lost, but just living their life as an outdoor or indoor/outdoor pet. 75% of lost cats were found within a 0.3-mile radius of where they went missing. Only 2-4% of cats taken to a shelter are reunited with their owners. If the cat is healthy leave it be. Follow the steps below to help ensure you’re doing the right thing for the kitty.

  1. If the cat is injured call Henderson County Animal Control at 828-697-4912 immediately.
  2. If the cat is not approachable, do not attempt to handle the cat. If the cat is social, check for a collar and identification tag. If a tag is present, contact the owner immediately. If they have a rabies tag, call the vet clinic and provide them with the tag number. They should be able to provide the owner information.
  3. Check with your neighbors to see if they are missing a cat. If yes, provide a photo or description of the cat, and the location that you found/saw the cat.
  4. Call Henderson County Animal Services Center to make a found pet report at 828-697-4723. Be prepared to give them information on the date found, location found approximate age, sex, markings, coat pattern, and length. This report must be made and be on file for 10 days before keeping, or rehoming the cat.
  5. Take a photo of the animal to share on your personal social media and the various Lost and Found Pages. Post the animal’s photo, date found, location found, your contact information.
  1. After 10 days check back with Henderson County Animal Services Center to make sure a match/owner hasn’t been found.
  2. Remember that most cats are NOT lost. If you pick the cat up and take it to the shelter, the chances of that cat being reunited with an owner are only 4.6% (using data from 2019). Nationally, the number one cause of death for cats is being euthanized in a shelter. Use the shelter only as a last resort.
  3. Blue Ridge Humane Society is on hand if you need assistance!

What Do I Do If I Find Kittens?

All too often, well-meaning citizens accidentally turn kittens into orphans by bringing them into shelters. Much of the time, kittens that seem abandoned are simply waiting for their mom to return from searching for food! Check out our Found Kitten page to find out how to proceed if you find orphaned kittens, as well as resources and more.