Found a stray cat or dog in your community?

Found a stray cat or dog in your community?

Strays cats and dogs in Massachusetts

This posting will discuss the difference in how to handle each one.

First it’s important to know the meaning of a “stray.” A stray is a pet that belonged to someone and is either lost or was illegally dumped by pet owner.

Interestingly, there are different protocols when it comes to stray cats and dogs in Massachusetts. A city or town’s Animal Control Department should be able to help you with a found dog by scanning for a microchip, providing housing, and holding for the minimum state-mandated 7 days (some towns have by laws that require a 10 day hold).

When it comes to cats, the protocol varies a bit. Depending on the given city or town’s Animal Control Department, they may come out and help with a found cat, or at least help you scan for a chip. But some departments just don’t have the resources to get involved with stray cats. Furthermore, there is no state-mandated hold period for a cat. However, some towns do have by laws that do require a hold.

Whether you find a cat or dog, our advice is to always reach out to the Animal Control Department in the town where you found the animal to inform them and find out how they would like to proceed. See this up to date list of animal control departments in the sate.

Ok, so you’ve encountered a stray dog or cat? What now? 

Assess the situation. Could an owner be nearby? For example, if you find a loose dog in a state park, their owner may be coming up a path a few minutes later. Is the animal in danger? For example, if there is a dog running near a busy intersection and no one is around, the dog may be separated from its owner and need help.

Please consider your safety above all else – be it the situation or the animal itself (should they be displaying aggression).

Depending on the urgency, you can quickly look up and call the city or town’s police department’s emergency or non-emergency number. They can often get ahold of the Animal Control Department before you. An Animal Control Officer will then contact you.

Dogs

• Due to Massachusetts law, stray dogs need to go through the process on the animal control end. After the hold, if the dog is not claimed, the Animal Control Department will either place the dog themselves or more likely – have a relationship with a local shelter or rescue to take custody of the dog and place up for adoption.
• That said, you can post a photo and description of the dog on Missing Dogs Massachusetts and other Facebook groups in your area.

Cats

We often receive calls from people aren’t sure what to do when they see a cat outdoors. Please don’t wait until wintertime to try to help. Left outdoors, cats are in danger from predators such as coyotes and foxes, and are much more susceptible to disease.

If you find kittens living outdoors or a cat who looks thin or ill, please notify your local animal control department and contact us right away.

If the cat looks healthy, it’s possible they have an owner. In that case:

• Post a photo and description of the cat at Massachusetts Lost Pets and other Facebook groups in your area.
• If the cat seems friendly, consider bringing him or her to a local vet or shelter so he/she can be scanned for a microchip to help locate the owner.
• Talk to your neighbors or post flyers in your neighborhood.
• Try putting a paper collar on the cat saying if this is your cat to contact you.

If you see a cat stuck in a tree and it can’t get down, contact your local police.

In conclusion, please feel free to reach out to us using the form below: