First, do not assume the animal is homeless. There’s a good chance they have a family who loves and misses them!
Have the pet scanned for a microchip at any veterinarian’s clinic, AARF, Forsyth Humane Society, or Animal Services(5570 Sturmer Park Cir., Winston-Salem, NC 27105), or check your local pet store to see if they can scan for a chip. Typically this is a free service.
Report the found pet with Forsyth County Animal Services through this link. They keep a lost and found list. Check back frequently as it changes daily.
Post the pet on PawBoost of Winston-Salem, a free online lost and found service.
Be sure your image is close-up and clear.
When listing on PawBoost, provide some identifying marks on the animal so that the owner would recognize their pet, but leave out some details (such as an unusual marking, the color of the collar, etc). The idea is to leave out a detail that only the owner would know, to avoid theft by the wrong person.
Most local TV stations have an online bulletin board where lost and found pets can be listed, like WXII 12 Pets in Winston-Salem. Email info about the found animal to pets@wx1112.com
Check on Craigslistof Winston-Salem and other local areas.
Post and distribute flyers with pictures at veterinary clinics, in your neighborhood, and at local adoption agencies. Ask your neighbors if they know the dog.
Post your lost pet on Facebook. Here are some options:
BE WARY of people too eager to either claim a pet or to take in a pet if the owner is not found.
If someone reaches out to claim the animal:
Always ask for proof of ownership. Examples include:
Photo of the pet
Vet records with a description
Meet in a public place with another person.
If the owner of the pet is not found, see below for options on placing a pet for adoption through one of the local rescues.
If you are unable to locate the owner, and cannot safely contain the animal short-term, call Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Animal Service Division which is located at 5570 Sturmer Park Cir. Winston-Salem, NC 27105 in the Forsyth County Animal Shelter.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am until 6:00 pm
Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays.
The administrative offices can be reached by calling 336-703-2480, option 1 during normal business hours.
You can also contact them through email for animal related complaints or problems.
The dispatch center is available 24/7 by calling (336) 727-2112.
If you find a stray pet in Guilford County but are unable to capture or bring the pet to the shelter, please contact animal control at 336-641-5990.
If it is after hours for animal control and is not an emergency, please contact Guilford Metro at 336.373.2222. Select option 3 for non-emergency law enforcement, and ask them for help with the found pet.
The website for Guildford County Found Pets Found A Pet? | Guilford County, NC (guilfordcountync.gov)
Lost a Pet? What to do
Act quickly! Search your own property. Look under furniture, porches, in garages, drainage, pipes, or other possible hiding places. Be sure any microchip information is current.
If you are on social media create posts to share.
Visit your county’s Animal Control/Shelter website.
If you are in Forsyth County or think your pet might have been found in Forsyth County, visit the Animal Services website. Also report a lost dog at Animal Services websiteThe best thing to do is to go to the facility itself or call 336-703-2480. The address is 5570 Sturmer Park Circle, Winston Salem, NC 27105
Register with PawBoostof Winston-Salem or your local area. This is a free online lost/found service. New animals are added daily, so check frequently. Note: make sure the picture you post is clear and current.
If the missing pet is an indoor-only cat, it will be helpful to set humane traps near your home. Contact AARF at info@aarfws.org or call (336) 768-PETS (7387).
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