Lost & Found Pets

Reporting Found Dogs to the WR Community Services Team 

If you find a lost dog, the best thing you can do is report it to WRPD Animal Control or a local shelter right away. The chances that the dog can be reunited with their family decreases when a well-meaning resident tries to find the animal’s home not knowing where they truly belong.

Once reported lost, animal control can contact the dog’s family with the help of a microchip, tags or records at a local animal shelter or veterinarian. Chances are very high that an agency has greater access to information than someone searching alone or on social media. Agencies work with local veterinarians to help facilitate homecomings for lost or stray dogs. Animal Control will also return animals to their legal guardian, only impounding unless absolutely necessary.

Agencies like the Wheat Ridge Community Services Team works alongside pet owners to properly educate and advocate for maintaining a valid Jefferson County dog license. Found dogs wearing county identity tags can be reunited quickly, reducing stress and anxiety for the dog and the owner. A microchip can also help reunite pets and owners in case tags are removed or lost.

By state law, dogs are considered property and therefore owners assume liability for the loose dog if they bite or cause property damage. Dogs can change ownership during their lifetime, so CSO officers also encourage owners to update contact information as well as tags and microchips. By safeguarding pets via licensing and/or health vaccinations, owners are taking the best steps to ensure being reunited with their dog if he/she gets lost.

Call the CSO Team to report a lost or found dog at 303-235-2926 or notify Jeffcom dispatch at 303-980-7300. Foothills Animal Shelter at 580 McIntyre Street in Golden, CO is available seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 303-278-7575 or email to info@fas4pets.org.

What About Cats? 

Cats are different than dogs because there isn’t a leash law for cats so our Animal Control officers don’t pick up strays. If your cat spends most of their time indoors, it’s important to chip them so they can be identified in case they get lost, injured, or worse. Taking a found cat to a vet for scanning or to the Foothills Animal Shelter is the best way to reunite a cat with its family. Keeping an animal that doesn’t belong to you involves taking on liability. If the cat is sick or if it bites you, your child or other pets you could end up needing to pay for any required medical care.

Foothills Animal Shelter at 580 McIntyre Street in Golden, CO is available seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 303-278-7575 or email to info@fas4pets.org.

How to help your pet be reunited with you

Licensing: As of July 20, 2013, Foothills Animal Shelter has taken over the administration of the pet licensing program from Jefferson County Animal Control. You can register your pet online, by mail or in person. Find more information about mandatory licensing Here.

Microchips: Microchips act as a safety net in case your pet’s collar and tags fall off or are removed if your pet becomes lost. A simple scan at a veterinarian or shelter can help your lost pet be reunited with your family. Foothills Animal Shelter provides microchipping for your cat or dog, visit their website for more information about pricing and other details.

Lost & Found Pets: View pets currently at Foothills Animal Shelter that are waiting to be claimed by an owner.