Tips on what to do when you find a stray pet: Madison County Animal Services

MARSHALL - In this month's column from the Madison County Animal Services team, author Donna Levine-Small offers tips for residents about what to do if/when they come across a stray pet in Madison County.

Some of the information in this release is courtesy of Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Lane in Asheville.

If you pick up a stray and the animal is friendly:

• It’s your responsibility to take the first steps to reunite the animal with its owner before removing it from its home area. Don’t interfere with a friendly, healthy animal’s ability to get home.

• Check for a collar or ID tag. Talk to neighbors. Most pets get lost within a mile of their homes.

• Call Madison County Animal Services and make a found pet report. If the Madison County Animal Services shelter is closed, leave a message and wait until the next business day for a call back.

• If you’re able, bring the animal to Madison County Animal Services or a vet clinic to scan for a microchip.

• Search for your found animal on Facebook groups: WNC Pet Connect, Conscious Homesteaders of Madison County and Madison County NC Lost and Found. Contact other local shelters.

• Make a flyer and post it everywhere you can.

• If you’re able to foster the pet, the shelter will help with supplies and medical care.

• Call the Sheriff’s Office and ask for Animal Control only if the animal is injured or aggressive.

If the stray appears sick:

• If the animal appears sick, but not in an emergency situation, call the shelter for assistance. They may ask if you’re able to transport the animal to the shelter. If you’re unable to do this, call the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and ask for Animal Control.

• If the animal appears to be in a life-threatening condition call the Sheriff’s Office and ask for Animal Control.

If the animal is unfriendly or scared:

• Call the shelter for assistance or the Sheriff’s Office and ask for Animal Control.

If you found a cat with the tip of the ear missing:

• This is an outdoor, community cat that has been neutered or spayed. If the cat looks healthy, leave it alone. If it looks hurt and/or hungry, call the shelter for advice.

Madison County Animal Services is located at 381 Long Branch Road in Marshall. For more information, email [email protected] or call 828-649-3190. The shelter is open Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Thursdays and Sundays.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Tips on what to do when you find a stray pet