We used to believe that taking cats and dogs to newly built shelters was the only way to help them, but we now know that most of the time, letting them alone is really better. When we aid lost cats and dogs in the community rather than bringing them to a shelter, kittens and puppies are more likely to grow up healthy and happy, and community cats and dogs are more likely to flourish. Where should I take Stray Cat or Dog in California? Firstly let experts deal with handling and secondly there are support places and shelters in Cali to assist.
Free space at the shelter for cats and dogs that truly need their aid, is important such as those whose owners are unable to care for them. In addition, sick or injured animals and those who have been victims of abuse and neglect are more likely to be kept at shelters.
If you are in San José you can call San José Animal Care Center at (408) 794-7297. You need to report about the stray dog and act and mention whether they are injured or not. An officer will come to your residence and take the animal to shelter without any charges.
You can also contact HappyTails (916.556.1155) to rescue a cat and dog from streets. However, they adopt animals from Greater Sacramento Metropolitan Area only. You can find complete list of shelters and rescue organizations in California by clicking here. Contact numbers and location of animal shelter and rescues has also been listed on this page. For example, Bay Area Cat Rescue and Fat Cat Rescue operate in Mountain View area only. If you are from Redwood City you can contact Pets In Need and Homeless Cat Network. Likewise, you can find animal rescue and shelters in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Hayward, and other cities.
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Try to Find a Shelter For a Stray Cat or Dog in California
The best option is to take the animal to a local public shelter, which you may find by dialling 888-452-7381. Legally, you must either take the animal to a shelter for the required holding time or make a ten-day effort to locate the owner using fliers, advertisements, and other means. “Oh no, but he or she will be murdered there!” is the typical emotion we get when we notify the numerous people who call us every day. While it is true that Los Angeles has a severe overcrowding problem, with nearly 70% of all impounded animals being destroyed, the city and county shelters are often the first places where a dog or cat owner looks for their pet.
Try to Contact the Owner
Many animals become successfully reunited with their owners after being sent to a public shelter for reclamation. Even if a dog isn’t wearing a collar or seems to be dirty, usually a stressed owner is is urgently looking for Fido or Tibbs. Collars may come undone, and many dogs are expert escape artists that can find a way out of even the most guarded yard. A dog or cat might also have a microchip that would be read instantly upon entering a public shelter, thanks to modern micro-chipping technology. Keep in mind that if this were your dog, wouldn’t you want the person who found it to make every attempt to locate you?
If you decide to continue rescuing and rehoming the animal, you can give it First Rights. Every stray surrendered to a shelter must be retained for five working days to allow the owner to retrieve the animal. The animal becomes eligible for adoption when the five-day period has passed. If you arrive on the first day the animal is offered for adoption, you have the right to adopt it under the First Rights program.
Spread the Word
If you decide not to take the animal to a shelter, you must advertise in local newspapers and post Discovered flyers in the area where the dog was found for at least ten days before you may legally claim ownership and try to rehome it. Most newspapers provide free classified advertising for lost pets. When creating an ad, be sure to use simple descriptions that don’t reveal too much about the animal so you can tell whether any of the callers actually own the dog or cat in question. You can demand a photo of the animal, a veterinarian reference, or other evidence of ownership from the caller. Request the animal’s name from the owner and call it out to see whether the animal reacts.
What to do if Stray Cat or Dog in California do not Have an Owner?
You have the choice of transferring the animal to a public shelter or attempting to rehome it yourself if no one has phoned you after you have put flyers and adverts and no one has called you after the 10-day deadline has passed. You can call 888-452-7381 to find out which shelter is nearest to where you discovered the animal if you wish to take it to one. Animals can be taken into public shelters at any time of day or night.
On the other hand, if you have decided to find a home for the animal, you should go to local animal rescue groups. However, you need to check if they will allow you to sit with the animal at one of their adoption events. Nonetheless, you’ll need to locate a spot to keep the animal.
If you are unable to care for the animal by yourself, you should consider boarding it at a kennel that does not cost too much. Alternatively, you can take it to a veterinarian’s office. If you tell them that the dog or cat you found needs a home, several veterinarians and kennels will give you a discount. You can seek help from your relatives or someone from your social circle to help you find a foster home.
Stray Cat or Dog in California? You can contact Pet Orphans of Southern California, CCSPCA, and Stray Cat Alliance for help.
Find a Home for a Stray Dog or Cat
Before rehoming an animal, the first thing to evaluate is if the animal is adoptable. Feral cats do not make acceptable house pets, and canines who are violent toward people do not make suitable adoption candidates. If you need help evaluating a dog or cat, please contact our office for a reference to a local expert trainer who can help. The more you know about the animal, the easier it will be to find a suitable home. The adoption process is greatly aided by knowing whether the dog or cat is good with children, dogs, cats, and other animals. Does the dog have a personality that requires an experienced owner? Is it suitable as a first-time family dog?
It might take days or even years to find a suitable home for a stray cat or dog. Be aware that you will be making a long-term commitment to the animal. How do you know whether a potential house is the correct one once you’ve found it? You can find more information about finding an appropriate house for the stray animal by going here.
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