Found dogs and cats must go through the proper stray process first, including microchip scanning, reporting, and Washington’s 60-day owner-search process.
If you find a dog or cat, please have them scanned for a microchip as soon as possible. Microchip scanning is free at shelters and most veterinary offices.
A chip scan can help reunite a pet with their family quickly and safely. Even if the pet looks neglected, scared, or dumped, they may still have someone looking for them.
S’more Dogs Rescue is not animal control and cannot be the first stop for found stray pets. Found animals should be reported to the appropriate local shelter or animal control agency for the area where they were found.
Shelters and animal control agencies are the proper place for stray holds, legal owner search, microchip scanning, reclaim opportunities, and placement procedures.
In Washington, found animals are treated as found property. A finder’s claim is not complete until the proper report has been made and the required 60-day owner-search period has passed with no owner found.
Because of this, S’more Dogs Rescue cannot take, place, transfer, or rehome found stray animals before that 60-day process is complete. Found pets need to go through the shelter, animal control, or local law-enforcement process first so their legal owner has a real chance to reclaim them.
This is not us refusing to help. This is us respecting the law and protecting the pet, the finder, the rescue, and any family who may be searching.
After the 60-day stray/legal process has been followed, S’more Dogs Rescue may be able to discuss options if we have foster space and a realistic plan.
