Common Questions
☆ “Why is the stray hold at the shelter so short?” ☆
In a perfect world we could have endless room in our shelters and stray animals could wait and wait for their people to pick them up, but we don’t and so laws were put in place for stray holds that were considered reasonable in these times of overcrowding in animal shelters. If an animal has no identification it is held for 3 business days, not including the day of impoundment, and made available for redemption, adoption or rescue on the 4th day.
☆ “What is considered identification on an animal?” ☆
A tag, a license, a microchip or any form of information that links an animal to an address. A notice is then sent to the address linked to the animal and the animal’s stray hold is lengthened to 10 business days. On the 11th day the animal is made available for redemption, adoption or rescue.
☆ “What do I have to do to get my animal back?” ☆
File a lost pet report, provide proof and identify. The City of Antioch requires that when an animal is first impounded it will be returned to an owner with a microchip. If it is a dog over the age of 4 months it is required to be licensed. All dogs over the age of 4 months are required to be licensed. This helps keep track of rabies vaccinated dogs and is one of the bases of “Animal Control” and public safety. If an animal ends up at the shelter a second time and is not spayed or neutered, it will be mandatory to spay or neuter prior to release. Other fees may apply.
☆”What are first adoption rights?☆
Often, you the public who find a lost pet fall in love. You are required to make a report to the shelter for the pet you have found. If you choose not to bring the animal to the shelter you must hold it and make an effort to reunite it with it’s rightful owner. The stray hold in your home is longer (as you are not an overcrowded shelter/public place) at 30 days. If you bring the animal to the shelter for the shelter’s stray hold, you can request first adoption rights of the animal. There are some exceptions to this with regards to ill, injured, behavioral or underage animals, but if the animal is healthy and adoptable after the hold, you as the finder can be notifed and adopt the animal on that 4th business day.
☆☆☆ ☆ Tags, microchips, licenses and spay/neuter are all key to easier and cheaper reunifications. ☆☆☆☆
Pictured is “Puppy” who has a microchip (number in second picture). Unfortunately there has been no response from the numbers or letter linked to the microchip number. Microchips are only as good as the information provided to the microchip company, so remember to update!
