What to do if you find a lost pet

In North Carolina, stray animals should be taken to the county shelter. Centralizing stray animals at one location helps families reunite with their pets faster.

If you find a stray, please contact Animal Control for your county:

• Chowan/Edenton Animal Control: 252-482-9807
• Gates Animal Control: 252-357-0210
• Perquimans Animal Control: 252-426-5751

Tri-County Animal Shelter in Tyner, NC (phone: 252-221-8514) requires a minimum 72-hour stray hold for animals. All brought to the shelter are scanned for a microchip and checked for other forms of identification.

WHAT TO DO WITH A STRAY:

• Report all stray animals to the county shelter where they were found.
• If the animal is friendly and has ID tags or a microchip, contact the caretaker to arrange a safe return.
• If you can't approach or contain the animal safely, call Animal Control with detailed information.

If there's no contact info on the animal:

• Take it to your county's animal shelter. They'll gather details and check lost reports.
• If the shelter is closed, bring the pet home or to safe location, then contact the shelter immediately with a found report and details. This can be done via phone or online on our website.
• Provide a safe space, water, and appropriate food. Some stressed animals may not eat initially.
• Have the animal scanned for a microchip at a vet or the shelter. 

To help reunite the pet:

• Put up flyers in the area where it was found, at vet offices, pet stores, and community boards.
• Post on social media and ask friends to share.
• Run a found ad in local newspapers and check lost ads.
• Follow up with the shelter and post once the pet is reunited.

Animals can become strays for various reasons, so practicing compassion is key. Remember, even the most responsible families can have pets escape.