Found

If you have found an animal who is wearing tags, call the Society at 423-624-5302 so that our staff can contact the guardian through the tag number. If the animal is not wearing identification you can do one of the following:

1. File a Found Report with the Society either in person or by phone at 423-624-5302 if you intend to keep the animal until a guardian is found. Even if you choose to care for the animal yourself, it is a good idea to bring the animal to the Society so that an accurate report is filed, especially if you are not familiar with cat and dog breeds. At that time the animal can be scanned for a microchip I.D. (implanted under the skin).
If you decide to care for the animal in your home, be sure to post found signs, take them to local veterinarians, and place an ad in the newspaper. Most newspapers provide this service at no cost.
BEWARE! Unfortunately there are people with dishonest motives. When responding to potential “guardians” by phone, ask them to identify a particular trait the animal has, such as color/type of collar, the little white patch under the left hind leg, etc. This simple process will ensure success to your efforts.

2. Bring the animal to the Humane Educational Society. Click here for hours and address. Strays brought to the shelter by the general public are held for five days if they have no identification, or ten days if they have identification before becoming available for adoption. However, applications for adoption are accepted prior to the date the animal will become available. A pre-paid adoption process is available to all approved applications, enabling an animal to go to its new home immediately upon its release date. Please contact our adoption office for further information if you would like to adopt the stray animal you bring to the Society.

3. Call Animal Services to pick up the lost animal. If you live within the city limits of Chattanooga call 423-698-2525. County residents should call 423-624-5302.