BENCHS is Currently Acting as Local Impound
​for the Cities of Mankato and North Mankato

The dogs and cats brought to BENCHS as strays are posted on our Facebook page. Click to view.

Please call 507-625-6373 and leave a message to claim. A staff member will return your call as soon as possible.

In order to claim a stray animal as your own, you will be required to provide proof of ownership and pay any accumulated fees.

Legally, stray animals must be put on a stray hold to give owners the chance to find them.

​Stray animals are not available for adoption and any inquiries will not be considered.
If you find a stray animal within the Mankato or North Mankato City limits:
**If injured, call the vet's office. If after hours or on the weekend, call us at 507-625-6373.**
  • If you are able to catch the animal, try to locate the owner.  Check the collar for tags, also look on the inside of the collar for identification. Go to neighborhood homes asking if they know anything about the animal. Take pictures and post on social media (Neighborhood Facebook Pages, Lost Pets Mankato, Lost Dogs (Cats) MN, Craigslist, Petfinder, Nextdoor Pet Directory, etc.). Take it to a vet to be scanned for a microchip. 
  • If you are unable to find the owners, call 507-625-6373 and someone will return your call to discuss the process, and make an appointment for you to bring the animal into the shelter. 
  • If you are not able to catch the animal, check social media to see if there has been a posting for that animal. 
  • NOTE: 
    • ​​If a stray cat appears healthy and is friendly, it likely belongs to someone nearby. We encourage you to leave it where you found it. Stray cats are very rarely reclaimed after they are brought to the shelter. 
    • If the cat is not tame, we can put you in touch with our partner Trap-Neuter-Release program. 
    • Kittens (under 8 weeks old) should be left in place and monitored for 8 hours to see if their momma returns. She could simply be out foraging for food. Their momma is their best chance for survival. If momma doesn’t return, the kittens could be orphaned and may need help to survive. Call us.
      • BENCHS can get overrun with kittens and does not always have enough foster homes. We may ask if you, or someone you know, would be willing to foster them until they are 8 weeks old. We will help with information and supplies as needed. If you will foster, email foster@benchs.org.
If you find a stray animal outside of the Mankato or North Mankato City limits:
  • Call us at 507-625-6373 and someone will return your call to discuss the situation. Our ability to take in  strays from outside of Mankato and North Mankato depends on the circumstances and available space at the shelter.