I Found an Animal—Now What?

 

For your safety: do not attempt to approach an unfamiliar or scared animal. Do no chase, corner, or attempt to capture an unfamiliar or frightened animal.

if an animal is loose:

Call Animal Control - 206-812-2737

If You Find a Stray Animal:

  • If you can safely contain the lost animal in your yard, garage, or a kennel, please call animal control.

  • Do NOT chase the animal, as this may cause it to run into traffic or move further from its home, making reunification with its owner more difficult.

  • Always have a plan if you choose to pick up the animal. Be aware of your local animal shelter’s hours.

If you have already safely contained or transported the animal, submit a found-animal report so CARES can document it and help locate its owner.

Submit Found Pet Report

Important Considerations:

  • We require a valid WA State ID from every person dropping off an animal at our shelter - no exceptions.

  • Consider temporary housing—do you have space? Do you have other animals?

  • Assess the animal’s health—does it look sick? Diseases such as Distemper and Parvo are highly contagious and can endanger unvaccinated pets.

  • Contact your local animal shelter or animal control office first. If after hours, leave a message on our service.

  • If possible, do not take the animal out of its local area, as this reduces the chances of the owner finding him/her.

Shelter and Jurisdiction Information:

  • Our shelter opens at 1 PM so plan accordingly when picking up a stray.

  • All stray animals entering our shelter incur fines payable to the city. If you remove an animal from its neighborhood to bring into the shelter but know where it lives, the owner will still be responsible for these fines. So taking it home is best if it can be safely be done.

  • Animal safety is our priority, but so is ensuring owners have the opportunity to reclaim their lost pets.

  • It is against the law for animals to be loose (Washington/Burien law: BMC 6.10.100 / KCC 11.01.380 / 11.01.290 & WAC 352-32-060)

  • Abandonment: Under RCW 16.52.207, knowingly or recklessly abandoning an animal—whether by failing to provide proper care or deserting it—constitutes animal cruelty in the second degree.
    This is classified as a gross misdemeanor, a serious offense carrying fines and jail time.

Feral Cat Considerations:

  • Burien and densely populated areas have a significant feral cat & wild rabbit population.

  • Ask yourself: Can you approach the cat? If the answer is “no” or “only sometimes,” the cat may be feral.

  • We do not rehabilitate and/or adopt out feral cats. Instead, we manage them differently - please visit here.

Scanning for Microchip: If you need assistance, we can scan for a microchip and keep a record in case someone reports the animal as lost.

Looking for your missing pet? View Recently Found Animals and review the reclaim requirements.

Thank you for helping keep animals in our community safe!

We reserve the right to refuse service.