Lost & Found Pets

One of the primary purposes of the shelter is to house lost pets safely until they are able to be reunited with their owners.

If you have lost your pet or if you have found someone’s lost pet, here are some steps to take:

1) Contact local animal shelters to file a report about the pet that you are missing.  You can submit a Lost Pet Report with our shelter by Clicking HERE.  You can also call us during business hours.

2) Post the animal on social media pages such as Maine Lost Cat Recovery, Maine Lost Dog Recovery, or your town’s “what’s happening/be in the know” page.

3) Submit a report on petlink.net, lostmykitty.com, or lostmydoggie.com to generate flyers and have lost reports sent to shelters and vet offices. On this website, you can also search currently missing pets if you happen to find a stray pet so you can reunite them with their owner.

4) If your pet is microchipped, alert the microchip company to add a “lost” alert on the chip.

One of the best ways to prevent lost pets is to spay/neuter your pets. They are less likely to wander from home.

I found a stray animal. What should I do?
Please do not bring the animal in to the shelter yourself.  All stray animals must be admitted to SHS through Animal Control or the Police Department.  Call your local police department or animal control officer, report the animal and follow their direction.   If you have taken the animal in your home, keep it separate from your animals and call your local police department or animal control officer and report the animal as soon as possible.   Do not put this off, if you feed and house an animal for a continued period of time, it may be considered your responsibility and not a stray. We have provided a list of animal control officers and their contact info under general information below.   These listed towns contract with SHS.
 
What Towns Does Somerset Humane Society take stray animals from?
It is a common misconception that SHS is a county animal shelter and must take any stray animal in if it is found in Somerset County.  This is not correct.  SHS is required to take stray animals only from the towns that have a current contract with us.  You can check our list of contracting towns below. If your town isn’t on the list, then it has a contract with a different shelter or organization.  You can call your town office to find out more information or click on the link provided here.

 

 

TOWN ACO NAME CONTACT NUMBER
Athens Dave Mercier 314-4031 or 654-2253
Bingham Bill Shaw/ Steve Steward 399-9445 or 612-9007
Brighton PLT Pam Jolotta 612-8267
Cambridge David Dewey 313-779-7946
Caratunk Deb Petrin 668-4872
Corinna Russell Craft 341-5488
Cornville Sara Mcgowan 431-7857
Dennistown PLT Bill Shaw 399-9445
The Forks/West Forks Bill Shaw 399-9445 or 672-3080
Dexter Dustin Sirabella/Sandy Sirabella 478-9931 or 379-2776
Etna Jean Wilkie 399-3251
Fairfield Somerset Dispatch 474-6386 Dave Huff at 453-9321
Harmony Joe Glidden 938-2052
Highland PLT None at this time Call the Somerset Sheriff or Town Office
Jackman Deb Petrin 668-9031
Madison Somerset Dispatch 474-6386 Amy Houle 708-6200
Moose River Debbie Petrin 399-8122 or 668-9031
Moscow Bill Shaw 399-9445 or 672-4027
Newport Regional Dispatch 638-3236 Ryan Hewins 416-2996
Norridgewock Buzz Bridges 446-0739
Parkman    
Pleasant Ridge PLT Andrea Howe 672-4011
Rome Buzz Bridges 446-0739
Skowhegan Somerset Dispatch 474-6386 George White 219-1171
Smithfield Buzz Bridges 446-0739
St. Albans Joe Glidden 938-2052
Troy Perri Peterson 322-9764
Unorganized Territories of Somerset County Bill Shaw 399-9445 or 672-3080
Wellington Joe Glidden 938-2052
My pet got loose and was brought to the Humane Society, how do I get him/her back?
First, call us and let us know that you think your dog/cat is at the shelter.  (207-474-6493) To claim a pet, we require proof of ownership, which could be current licensing or vaccination records, veterinarian records, or recent photos of the pet.

Humane Society Return to Owner Policy:

 There is a $20 fee for each day that your pet is at the shelter.  This fee covers the cost of feeding, housing and staff time caring for your animal. When lost/stray animals come to the shelter, we are unaware of their health/vaccination history. Per our policy, any animal admitted into our facility will receive a standard intake exam. During the exam, your pet will be given a distemper vaccine ($10), de-worming treatment ($5), flea treatment ($5) and any other necessary grooming such as ear cleaning, nail clipping and/or bathing ($5).  If your pet requires vet care or additional medication while they are at the shelter, you will be responsible for that cost as well when picking up your pet. If this is the 4th or further offense, there will be an additional $100 fee added to the standard return costs.  This is to discourage repeat offenders and encourage them to take responsibility for the safety of their pet.

Maine State law requires a stray hold period of 7 days for dogs before they become the property of the shelter and can be adopted.

Cats that appear to have an owner, (spayed/neutered or wearing a collar), have a 7 day stray hold period as well.   If there is no visible evidence of ownership, only a 2 day stray hold period is required before cats become shelter property and can be adopted.

Pets being housed at SHS are kept safe and warm.  They are provided with food and water and given any needed medical treatment. Being admitted to SHS keeps your pet from running at large overnight and possibly being stolen or injured.  SHS is not responsible for transporting stray or lost pets to the shelter.  That is the local Animal Control Officer’s responsibility (or the Police Department on certain occasions).  SHS does not hire the Animal Control Officers or have any control over which pets they pick up and bring to the shelter.  Our job is strictly to care for the pet once it is admitted to the shelter.

 
 Does the Somerset Humane Society post a picture of every stray animal that is brought in?
Although we try our best to post a picture of every stray cat and dog that is brought into the shelter, sometimes it is not possible.  We recommend calling the shelter at 207-474-6493 if your cat or dog is missing.  We also suggest contacting ME Lost Dog Recovery or ME Lost Pets on Facebook for assistance with making flyers.  Getting the community involved is the best way to find your missing pet quickly.