Found a Stray Cat or Dog? Find Out What to do Next

So, you've found an approachable stray pet. What now? Big-hearted Hillsborough County residents occasionally come across off-leash pets in need of reunification with their owners. Learn what to do if you encounter an at-large dog or a cat:

1. Do not approach an unfamiliar dog unless it appears receptive
2. Check for a registration tag or other ID. Pets will often have collars with a tag or label that has the owner's name and contact information.
3. Consider walking the dog on a leash in the same neighborhood it was found to see if it is recognized by the owner or a neighbor
4. Get the animal to a safe place (like a fenced-in backyard) to ensure it is contained and will not get hurt
5. Post on social media to your neighborhood to see if anyone is missing an animal
6. If you are unable to locate or identify the owner, take it to a local shelter or rescue, like Hillsborough County's Pet Resource Center, to have the pet scanned for a microchip. If that is not possible, try calling your veterinarian to see if they offer microchip scanning.

View additional lost and found resources. If you encounter an aggressive stray pet, take the steps listed in this article to protect yourself and report it to Hillsborough County Animal Control. Hillsborough County Animal Control is a Division of Code Enforcement and is responsible for enforcing local and state ordinances and codes that protect pets and people.