06/11/2026
SHARING - As communities across Oklahoma continue to experience overcrowded shelters, rescue capacity issues, and increasing numbers of lost and found pets, we wanted to share some important information for both pet owners and finders.
❤️ First and foremost: a found animal is not automatically yours to keep, rehome, or give away.
Under Oklahoma law, animals are considered property. The first priority should always be making a reasonable effort to locate the owner and reunite the pet with its family.
A found pet is not a rescue pull, an adoption opportunity, or a “free dog.” It is someone’s family member until reasonable efforts have been been made to locate the owner.
Before considering adoption, rehoming, or rescue placement:
• Have the animal scanned for a microchip.
• Post in local lost-and-found groups.
• Check for reports of missing pets in your area.
• Contact the appropriate local authorities or animal services agency.
• Follow any applicable stray-hold requirements.
🐾 HAVE A FOUND PET SCANNED FOR A MICROCHIP
Many veterinary clinics, shelters, pet stores, and rescue organizations can scan for a microchip free of charge. A quick scan can often reunite a pet with its family within minutes.
🏡 COMMUNITY HOLDS SAVE LIVES
When it is safe and feasible, community holds are often the best option for found pets. Many shelters are operating at or near capacity, and countless pets are reunited with their families because a finder was willing to provide temporary shelter while owners were located.
If you cannot keep the animal, contact local animal welfare agencies, shelters, or rescue organizations for guidance. Please understand that rescues throughout Oklahoma are also full and often operating beyond capacity. We will always try to help when possible, but placement options are frequently limited.
It truly takes a village right now, and Oklahoma’s animals need all of us working together to keep them safe.
⚠️ REPORTING FOUND ANIMALS, ANIMAL CRUELTY, ABANDONMENT, OR DUMPING
Every Oklahoma community handles animal services differently. Some cities have Animal Welfare or Animal Control departments. Others rely on local law enforcement or county resources. If you are unsure who handles animal-related issues in your area, your local police department’s non-emergency number is often the best place to start.
If your community has Animal Welfare or Animal Control, dispatch can often transfer you directly or provide the correct contact information.
Not every Oklahoma community has an animal shelter, animal control department, or animal welfare agency.
If you witness animal dumping, abandonment, neglect, or cruelty, contact your local police department or sheriff’s office using its non-emergency number whenever possible.
Call 911 only if:
• You are actively witnessing animal cruelty in progress.
• There is an immediate threat to human or animal life.
• Weapons or fi****ms are involved.
• A dangerous situation requires an emergency response.
Otherwise, use your local police department or sheriff’s office non-emergency number so emergency dispatch resources remain available for life-threatening emergencies.
📢 If possible, document what you observe:
• Date and time
• Exact location
• Vehicle description and license plate number
• Photos or video when safe to obtain
• Description of individuals involved
The more information you can provide, the better the chance authorities have of investigating and taking appropriate action.
🐕 PET OWNERS – HELP YOUR PET FIND ITS WAY HOME
• Microchip your pets—including cats.
• Register the microchip yourself and keep your contact information current.
• Ensure pets wear identification tags whenever outside.
• Check fences regularly for loose boards, gaps, damaged latches, and digging areas.
• Reinforce weak spots before they become escape routes.
• Keep gates securely latched.
• Update your pet’s information whenever you move or change phone numbers.
Before assuming a pet was abandoned, remember that many dogs travel surprising distances, livestock guardian dogs may roam large properties, and even indoor cats can end up far from home. Always assume there may be an owner searching for them.
A microchip only works if it is registered and the information is current.
It takes a village to protect Oklahoma’s animals. Whether you’re a pet owner, a finder, a shelter employee, a rescuer, or simply a concerned neighbor, your efforts make reunification possible and help keep animals safe.
Thank you to everyone who helps keep Oklahoma’s animals safe.
