What should I do if I've lost a pet or found a pet?

If you've lost a pet, first search your neighborhood. Go door to door and talk to your neighbors. Search in the evening, when it's quiet. Call or whistle. If your pet is injured or frightened, he may be hiding. Drive around the neighborhood; a dog will sometimes recognize the sound of your car. Put up posters and distribute flyers with a photo and description of your pet. Don't include every detail about your pet; hold back a distinctive feature or trait. That way, if someone calls claiming to have found your pet, you can determine if they are legitimate by asking about a feature that only someone who actually has your pet would know.

Go to the BENCHS Facebook page and look in the "Stray Animals" album to see if your pet has been brought to impound. Owners who find their pets on Facebook should call 507-625-6373 to claim. They should be prepared to provide proof of ownership and to pay accumulated fees. 

If you've found a pet, try to locate the owner first. Check the collar for identifying information. Ask neighbors in the vicinity about the animal. Take the animal to a vet to be scanned for a microchip. Post on social media, especially neighborhood groups and the Lost Pets Mankato Facebook page. If the owner cannot be located, call 911 for a non-emergency call. Or call BENCHS at 507-625-6373. 

photo by Dianne Willaert