Lost & Found Information
Lost Pets
If you have lost a pet, try some of the steps below to help your search effort.
Distribute flyers.
Place flyers all around your area (cats can cover a 2-mile radius easily). Include a photo, use few words, and make the phone number large so drivers can read it. Use gallon plastic bags to seal the flyer if it rains.
Give a flyer to your mail carrier and ask him/her to keep a look out for you.
Call local vets.
Call all of the veterinarians in Athens County. Give them your phone number if your pet gets brought in as an injured stray or a pet they plan to re-home. Someone could use a vet in Albany or another area nearby, so include vets you may not be familiar with.
Draw them home.
Put something outside your door that smells like you (e.g., pajamas you’ve slept in, a t-shirt you have worn). Your pet’s sense of smell is strong and they are likely to pick up your scent to lead them home. For cats, put their litter box outside ASAP.
Go out at night for cats.
For cats, go out walking and calling once it gets quiet (e.g., 10 pm – 2 am): Take a few steps, call, stand still, and listen for them to answer. Repeat these steps while walking in a spiraled-out pattern from your house. Cats are very often very close by unless they have been scared off by something. Look under nearby bushes and porches.
Call the dog shelter.
Immediately call the local dog shelters to report your pet missing. Ask them to call you if a dog or cat of your description is brought in. Although dog shelters do not accept cats, they should have information of any cat being dropped off. Take a flyer to the shelter for them to hang.
Try Lost Pet Professionals.
This organization lists many helpful hints. They offer phone consultations and they have tracking dogs. This service is likely expensive but may be worth trying.
Local Contacts and Links
All of the following postings opportunities are available at no cost and will help you find lost pets and/or their owners:
Athens County Dog Shelter
13333 OH Rte. 13, Chauncey, OH 45719
740-593-5415
Morgan County Herald
(covers parts of Glouster)
740-962-3377
Athens Messenger
740-592-6612, extension 231 or 233
Craig’s List, Lost and Found Section
Choose “Athens, OH” - “Community, Lost/Found”
The Athens News
classified@athensnews.com, 740-592-8219
WXTQ/WATH Pooch Patrol
Listen at 2:20 pm to 970 WATH/WXTQ
740-593-6651
e-mail: photos@wxtq.com
Facebook Pages
Be sure to provide complete description of the animal that was lost or found. Attach photo for missing pets but not found pets; see below for more info about found pet’s postings. Example post: “Lost (Nelsonville, OH): Black female lab with pink collar missing since 6PM on 10/3/20, on Main Street. Please contact 555.555.555 with any information.”
Found Pets
If you have found a dog with an Athens County tag, you can look up the tag number at the auditor’s site to find the owner.
Check to see if the pet you found has a microchip at a local vet or at the Athens County Dog Shelter.
Do not offer information about the following either in postings or to callers:
—Collar or lack of collar
—Color of collar
—If the pet has been neutered or not
—Any distinguishing markingsMake sure to have callers give the above identifying information about the pet before allowing them to see/claim the pet.
If, over time, you think the pet you have found has been abandoned
—This site offers good resources/information for trying to find the pet new home: Pet Rescue Library
—Contact the Athens County Humane Society at info@athenshumane.org to assist you if you are able to serve as a temporary “foster” for cats until a home is found. Note: Cats must have been advertised as found for a minimum of three days before ACHS can assist.
