I Found an animal—Now What?

 

For your safety, do not attempt to approach an unfamiliar or scared animal.

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 or jurisdiction, 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.

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.

Reclaiming an Animal From C.A.R.E.S.

Impounded animals are held for a minimum of 72 hours to give their owners an opportunity to reclaim them. After the required holding period, an unclaimed animal may be evaluated for adoption or another appropriate placement.

To reclaim an animal, the person claiming ownership must:

  • Present valid photo identification;

  • Provide proof that the animal belongs to them; and

  • Pay all applicable impound, boarding, licensing, medical, and other required fees before the animal is released. Impound and licensing fees collected by C.A.R.E.S. are credited to the appropriate city, where applicable.

Proof of ownership may include veterinary records, licensing or microchip information, adoption records, photographs taken before the animal was lost, or other identifying information. C.A.R.E.S. may request more than one form of verification when ownership is unclear or disputed.

A verbal claim, familiarity with the animal, or possession of the animal at some point is not necessarily sufficient proof of ownership. C.A.R.E.S. will not release an animal until staff are reasonably satisfied that the person claiming it is the lawful owner or is authorized by the lawful owner.

Contact C.A.R.E.S. as soon as possible if you believe your animal has been impounded. Waiting until the holding period has expired does not preserve ownership or prevent the animal from becoming available for adoption or placement.

Thank you for helping keep animals in our community safe!

We reserve the right to refuse service.