WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE FOUND A PET

Most stray animals are not homeless; they are simply exploring their neighborhood. In fact, most animals are found within 1000 feet from their home and they will return home on their own. You can contact Independence Animal Services at 816-325-7205 to report unrestrained animals in Independence, Missouri and unincorporated areas of Jackson County, Missouri. We recommend against picking up animals that you don’t know. Picking up a stray animal is a commitment and every effort should be made to reunite the animal with the owner prior to contacting a shelter. It could take several days to reunite an animal with the owner and a shelter may not be able to accept the animal immediately. Here are some tips to follow if you have found a stray animal:

• As you work to reunite found pets with their owner, it is highly recommended to keep the separate from you personal pets and any children in the home. 
• Check for ID tags.
•  Knock on doors in the neighborhood to see if anyone knows where the pet lives.
• Have the pet scanned for a microchip at the nearest veterinary clinic or animal shelter.
• Make a found pet report with local pet agencies/businesses:
  • Independence Animal Services - 816-325-7207 option 2 or email lostpets@indepmo.org.
  • Pawboost
  • Lost Pet Registry KC - 816-812-1032
•  Post notices on local social media sites such as Facebook and Nextdoor
• Lost and Found Pets in Independence Missouri
• Independence, MO - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets
• Eastern Jackson County, Missouri Lost Pets
• Kansas City Missouri Lost and Found Paws
• Harvey's Lost Hounds
• Lost/Found Pets KANSAS CITY AREA
• Lost and Found Cats in Independence
• Lost and Found Pets - Blue Springs, MO
• Nextdoor
• Lost Pet Registry KC
• Call the shelter at 816-325-7207 ext. 2 to schedule a time to surrender a found pet if an owner is not found.
• Create a flyer to post in the neighborhood where the pet was found and distribute to local vet clinics and shelters.