Q&A with the Animal Shelter: If I find an animal and bring it to your shelter, what will happen to it?

#AsktheAnimalShelter

If I find an animal and bring it to your shelter, what will happen to it?

At the Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter, helping lost pets make it back home is a top priority! When an animal is brought into our shelter by a community member, the first thing we do is scan the cat or dog for a microchip and ask when and where the animal was found. Next, our staff will have the finder fill out an intake form which includes an opportunity to express interest in adopting the pet if no owner comes forward.

A brief intake exam is performed on the animal within minutes of arrival to check for any injuries or medical concerns, and dogs and cats may be given basic vaccinations. At this time, our staff will also take a photo of the animal, which will be posted on our website within about an hour of arriving at the shelter.

While the animal is safe and cared for at the shelter, our team will take steps to try to reunite the pet with its family. Looking for an owner may include monitoring lost animal reports and social media posts, checking for matching animals in our database, and following leads provided by microchips, dog licenses, and other identification found on the animal.

If no owner comes forward within the legally required hold time, our staff moves forward with performing medical and behavior assessments on the pet. Humane euthanasia is only considered if the animal is a danger to the public or if it is suffering from an illness, injury or condition that can’t be treated or managed. The vast majority of animals move on to be spayed or neutered if they aren’t already. From there, the pet may be adopted by their finder or transferred to one of our shelter or rescue partners for eventual adoption. These partner organizations sometimes also provide additional medical care or behavior modification before the pets move on to their new homes.

Each month, you will have the chance to have your questions answered by the animal shelter. For more information on these topics and more, please visit www.WashingtonCountyPets.com or call us at (503) 846-7041. The Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter is located in downtown Hillsboro at 1901 SE 24th Ave. Email your questions to: Stacy_Beckley@co.washington.or.us