04/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/22/2024 08:54
Pets are family, so it can be devastating if they go missing. Read on to learn how you can prevent man's best friend from getting lost, and the steps you can take if you ever need to locate a missing furry family member.
Lost Pet Prevention
There are multiple steps you can take to prevent your pet from becoming lost. Some include:
What To Do if Your Pet is Currently Lost
Visit the Chesapeake Animal Services Unit in person to file a lost pet report. To file a lost pet report, a photo of your pet is required. The shelter is located at 2100 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Hours of operation are:
Note: Always visit the shelter in person. Most shelters do not take lost reports by telephone or without a photo, nor can they confirm or deny animal pickups over the phone. You may want to visit shelters outside of your city as well, because pets are often found miles away from the place where they were lost. If they have roamed that far, they may have been turned in to shelters in a completely different city.
After you file a lost pet report, you can do the following:
Once You Find Your Pet
After you have successfully found your pet, notify the shelters, your neighbors, and anyone else who may still be helping in the search. Remove all lost flyers and update social media posts with your good news. You should also take the previously stated steps to reduce the chances of this happening again.
If you need to redeem your pet at the shelter, you can view the redemption fees and requirements on the Stray, Lost, Sick page. Chesapeake Animal Services will require that you come to the shelter and provide a City license, a rabies number, a pictured ID, and payment for redemption fees if required. Special circumstances are handled on a case-by-case basis.
If You Find Someone's Pet
Please never ignore a pet that may need your help. Check the pet for identification, such as a pet ID tag on a collar. Call the phone number on the collar if one is listed. You can also visit a shelter or a veterinarian near you to have the pet scanned for a microchip, which holds identifying information. Check social media posts on Nextdoor, Pawboost, or local lost and found Facebook groups. If you cannot find the owner or keep the pet at your own house, turn the animal in to the shelter. This is likely where the owner will search for their pet. The shelter will hold the animal for a minimum of five days, and if it is not claimed, the pet will go up for adoption.
For further information call the Chesapeake Animal Services Unit at 757-382-8080 or read the FAQ.