Lost & Found

The Sampson County Animal Shelter is the place lost animals are most often taken if picked up. If you have lost a pet be sure to check the Animal Shelter at least every two or three days. Having proper identification on your pet helps tremendously with locating the owners. Many times having the owner's contact information on the animals will result in pets being returned to the owners prior to being taken to the shelter. In the event your pet is taken to the Animal Shelter, we will use this information in attempt to locate the owner. The Animal Shelter will make every effort to contact the owner, but tags and collars are frequently missing or damaged when an animal is lost. 

It is important that you make the Animal Shelter aware of your missing pet. We often receive calls reporting lost animals therefore we advise you to contact us so we may assist you in your efforts. To report a lost pet, please complete the Lost Pet Form, and submit it to Animal Control Office:

168 Agriculture Place
Clinton, NC 28328
(910) 592-8493

One of the most effective ways of finding a missing pet is to get out in the neighborhood and surrounding areas and call the pet's name. Most animals will hang around an area where they were lost for 12 to 24 hours. Pets tend to hang around familiar areas, so be sure to check areas you and your pet may have visited often, such as parks, friend's houses, etc. The sooner you get out in the neighborhood, the more likely you are of locating a lost pet.

Post fliers and make the community aware

One of the most common, yet most effective methods of finding a lost pet is making and posting a Lost Pet Flier. The flyer should have a clear and up-to-date picture and description of your pet and the owner's contact information.

Posters/fliers should include a description of pet and owner's contact information:

• Color picture of the animal
• Where and when lost
• Phone number/email address
• Full description including color, size, breed, age, sex and identifying characteristics

Public places are ideal locations to make sure your flyer is seen: 

• Supermarkets, pet stores, public telephones, gas stations, bulletin boards, restaurants
• Veterinary offices, drug stores, churches, libraries, recreation centers, playgrounds, ball fields, and parks(other places where children gather)

• Place a lost pet posting on other popular social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Craigslist.
• Misplaced pets can travel quite far in their search for home. Contacting the shelter of the neighboring counties for your lost animal would also help.
• Placing an ad in the local newspapers offering a reward for returning a lost pet may be all the incentive someone needs to assist you in your efforts. Often these ads can be done free of charge in the lost and found column of the classified section.
• Be sure to daily check all lost and found ads, popular websites, and shelters.
• Call all local veterinarians, in addition to placing a poster at their offices.
• The Animal Shelter works closely with the local police station and sheriff's office. It is not uncommon for stray pets to be reported to them prior to the Animal Shelter.
• Local radio stations often announce lost pets as a public service; you may find it beneficial to solicit their efforts.

There are very few things more exciting than receiving that phone call notifying you that your pet has been found safe and sound. What do you do next?

Safety is of the utmost importance; therefore if you receive a response, remember to make safe and educated decisions when arranging to claim your pet. Here are some safety tips: 

• Never arrange for the caller to come to your home. As with many other public transactions, it is always safer to meet in front of your local police station or a busy public place. Unfortunately criminals may attempt to use this as an opportunity to commit a crime; hopefully this will deter their efforts. 
• Never meet the caller alone. Arrange for a friend or relative to go with you.
• Never make or agree to arrangements that involve meeting at someone's home or anywhere else. Insist on meeting at an agreed upon public destination.

If and when your mission is complete, please remember to do the following:

• For your peace of mind and public sanitation, go back and remove posters and fliers you posted.
• Delete and remove any online postings you may have submitted.
• Take action to make sure your pet doesn't get lost in the future.
• Be sure to put permanent identification tags on your pet's collar. These tags should include your name and up-to-date contact information. Be sure the tags and collar are always worn by your pet. In addition, you may want to speak to your veterinarian about giving your pet a microchip identification number.
• Lastly, be sure to make the necessary adjustments to ensure your pet is not lost again.