Stray Animals

We are a small team, and there may be times when we are unable to answer the phone due to limited staffing, veterinary appointments, off-site errands, or other internal needs. We encourage you to leave a voicemail if we don’t answer—our team will return your call as soon as possible. It’s always best to call ahead before visiting the shelter to ensure someone is available to assist you.

For those who find a pet:

I Found a Stray Animal. Can You Take It?

Almost Home Animal Rescue does accept stray animals; however, due to limited kennel space, we may not always have room available. If you have found a stray animal, please call our Shelter Manager during normal business hours to check availability before bringing the animal to the shelter.

If your call is not answered, please leave a voicemail or send us an email, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Before Contacting the Shelter: Please Take Steps to Find the Owner

Many lost pets have families actively looking for them. Please make every reasonable effort to locate the owner.

Check for a Microchip — Available 24/7

Almost Home Animal Rescue has a public microchip scanning station available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including when the shelter is closed.

If you find a lost dog or cat, you can scan the animal for a microchip and use the provided information to look up the chip and help locate the pet's family.

Local Checks

Check surrounding homes and ask neighbors if they recognize the animal.
Call the local police department to ask if anyone has reported a missing pet.
Check the area where the animal was found for people who may be searching.

Online Searches

Check local social media lost-and-found pet groups for missing-pet posts.
Post a clear photo of the animal and the general location where it was found.
Check existing posts before assuming the animal has been abandoned.

Taking these steps can often reunite a lost pet with its family quickly and helps preserve limited shelter space for animals who truly have nowhere else to go.

For owners reclaiming a pet:

I think you have my pet - how can I reclaim them?

If you believe your missing pet may be at our shelter on stray hold, please call our shelter manager. If call is not answered, leave a voicemail and we will get back to you.

Animals may be reclaimed during our normal business hours of Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM (closed from 12 to 1 PM for lunch.) Pets will not be released outside of these hours. Owners are asked to call ahead to make arrangements prior to arriving.

What are the reclaim fees?

Reclaim fees include:

Daily care fee (per day held)
Vaccinations (if not current)
Rabies vaccination (if not current; administered by our partner veterinarian)
Microchip (if not already implanted)
Emergency veterinary care or treatment provided during the animal’s stay

Fees vary depending on the cost of treatment, vaccinations, and other services provided during the animal’s stay. All fees must be paid in full at the time of reclaim.

What is required to reclaim my pet?

Owners wishing to reclaim a stray animal must show proof of ownership. Some examples are:

Dated photos (digital timestamps acceptable)
Veterinary records
Current vaccination records
Microchip information

If the animal is not up to date on vaccinations or not microchipped, Almost Home Animal Rescue will provide these services prior to release.

Rabies vaccinations will be administered by our partner veterinarian.

The cost of vaccination and microchipping will be included in the reclaim fees.

Daily stray hold care fees will also apply for each day the animal was held at the shelter.

Daily care fees are waived if the animal is reclaimed the same day it arrives at the shelter; however, all other applicable fees still apply.

Other Information:

What is your stray hold period?

All stray animals brought to Almost Home Animal Rescue are held for a 7-day stray hold period in accordance with local ordinances. During this time, we make every effort to locate the animal’s owner through lost and found postings, social media, and local outreach.

What happens to unclaimed animals?

Animals not reclaimed within the 7-day stray hold period will become the property of Almost Home Animal Rescue and may be made available for adoption.