When your dog or cat strays from home, it's frightening for everyone. Here are some tips to help reunite you with your companion as quickly as possible.

Please note: the Humane Society of Catawba County and Catawba County Animal Services are two different shelters. HSCC generally does not take in stray animals. If you've lost a pet or found a stray, your first call should be to Catawba County Animal Services at (828) 466-6814. That said, the occasional stray does come to us — we're happy to keep an eye out for yours.

If You've Lost a Pet

• Check the shelters
  View animals currently in our care on the Adopt pages of this site, and check with Catawba County Animal Services.
  
  
• Let us know
  Email your pet's information and photos to info@catawbahumane.org so we can keep them on our radar.
  
  
• Use Petco Love Lost
  Search the national database and create a lost-pet alert at Petco Love Lost.
  
  
• Spread the word
  Post flyers, check with neighbors, and use local Facebook lost-and-found groups.

Stray Holding & Microchips

HSCC holds stray pets for 72 hours before assessing them for adoption. As strays come in, we scan them for a microchip and contact the registered owner whenever one is found — one more reason to keep your pet chipped and your information up to date.

Preventing a Lost Pet

• ID tags
  Keep a current ID tag on your pet's collar at all times.
  
  
• Microchip & register
  Microchip your pet and keep the registration current as your contact info changes.
  
  
• Spay/neuter
  Altered pets are less likely to roam.
  
  
• Secure & supervise
  Keep dogs leashed or in a fenced area, and don't leave pets unattended.