Lost Pets
We often receive calls from families concerned over missing pets or who have found wandering strays that appear to be a family pet. If you have a pet who has gone missing or you have found a stray animal that appears to have an owner, please call us at (805) 927-RESQ (7377).

Pets
Lost Pets Lost Pets
Found Pets Found Pets

Finding Your Pet
Here are some guidelines to help find your lost pet:
  • Be persistent!! Often times, well meaning people will keep or feed a lost pet at their house for an extended period before turning the dog or cat into the county pound or humane organization.
  • Call the Lost Cat & Dog Line at 781-4407 every day. This recording gives a complete list and description of most animals picked up and brought into the shelter during the preceeding 24 hour period. Call each day after 6:00 p.m. for the most recent recording.
  • Go to the County Pound (Animal Regulation) at least every 72 hours. Only you can positively identify your pet. As much as the volunteers would like to help you, they cannot identify your animal over the phone. Unlicensed stray dogs and cats are only required to be held 72 hours before they are euthanized. Most animals are never claimed, and if they cannot be adopted out, they are euthanized.
  • Contact the ARF Volunteer office at 781-4413. Their office hours are 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with a message recorder when they are out. Leave a complete discription of the lost or found animal.
  • Check Woods Humane Society at 543-9316. They accept only owned animals, however, some well-meaning citizens will take found animals to them. They are located on Broad St. in San Luis Obispo, near the airport. Also, check all local rescue groups and leave a complete description of the lost or found animal.
  • Send in a notice to your local newspapers or radio station.
  • Make up fliers with your pet’s description (with a picture if possible), including sex, color, tags, collars or distinguishing characteristics, the area lost and your information for someone to contact you. Post the notices on ends of streets, bulletin boards, County Animal Regulation Lost & Found, veterinarians, Woods Humane Society, schools, and talk with nearby neighbors and kids. If you live in an apartment complex, post notices by the mailboxes and laundry rooms. Making flyers is probably the best/quickest way to find your pet.
  • If you have recently moved, leave notices with neighbors in your old neighborhood, and check with animal agencies in that area. Visit old address if possible. Leave some things out in the yard with your scent (clothing, shoes, etc.). Also continue to leave out food.
  • If you have lost a purebred dog, check with the ARF volunteers for current Breed Rescue Clubs.
  • Make sure that all current/correct information is on file for Dog License Tags and/or rabies tags and other traceable information.
  • On foot, check your area often. Also check the area at night. If your pet is in an area not familiar to it, it will only come out when it is quiet. Again, leave an article of clothing in the area and check it at night to see if the animal responded. Leave food out, too.
  • Above all… BE PERSISTENT!!

HART is a non-profit, tax exempt, all volunteer humane service organization dedicated to people and their pets as well as the homeless and stray animals who need our help. No salaries are paid. We are incorporated under the auspices of the Secretary of State of California. HART is fully tax-exempt under the U.S. Treasury Department section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Our tax identification number is 77-0018508.