Lost and Found

The Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society is dedicated to helping reunite pets with their owners.   We urge all pet owners to report missing pets immediately.  Also the quick return of owned animals allows us more space for our truly homeless pets available for adoption.

What do I do if I have lost my pet?

Please follow the below steps if your pet is missing.

Step 1- Contact our shelter at 804-693-5520 to see if your pet has been brought to our facility.  Please be prepared to provide a detailed description of your pet so we can better assist you. If your pet is not here, we will fill out a “lost” card and keep it on file.  Should you find your pet, please let us know so we can remove you from our lost pet file.

Step 2- Call surrounding animal control facilities to report your missing pet.  The GMHS shelter serves as the Animal Control Facility for Mathews County, so stray animals found in Mathews County would be brought to our shelter; other surrounding counties have their own facilities and should be contacted directly. People who find a lost pet often take it to a shelter or animal control that they are familiar with which may not be your local shelter. It is important to contact shelters and animal control facilities as soon as you determine that your pet is missing, and to widen your search area as much as possible.

Step 3- Spread the word!   Make flyers and post them in various places, including GMHS.    Local vet clinics, post office and stores will often let you put up a flyer.    Radio Station WXGM will also announce lost and found pets on air.  You can contact them by calling 693- 9946.   You should also let your neighbors and your mail carrier know that your pet is missing.  

What do I do if I found an animal?

 Please use caution when picking up stray animals.  Scared or injured animals may bite.

Step 1- Stray animals that have been found should be reported to your local animal control facilities as soon as possible – these are usually the first places owners will look for a missing pet. It may be possible to keep the animal in your home until the owner is contacted, or Animal Control may be able to pick up the animal for holding in their facilities.

Step 2- Make and distribute flyers.  Give an accurate description of the animal without providing excessive details.

Step 3- Call GMHS at 693-5520.   GMHS will keep the animal and your contact information on file so that we can assist in helping the animal reunite with his/her owner.  

If you are interested in giving the animal a home after its required legal holding period, please advise the animal control facility or shelter where the animal is being held.

Resources and Phone Numbers for Lost and Found Animals

Email jkopp3669@earthlink.net for distribution of mass emails to help with lost or found animals. 

www.pets911.com  This site allows you to post lost and found animals in a directory that can searched throughout the United States.

Gloucester Animal Control 693 5290

After Hours /Weekends Gloucester non emergency Sheriff’s Office 693 3890

Mathews County Sheriff’s Office 804-725-7177

Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office 804-758-2779

Essex County Sheriff’s Office 804-443 -3346

King & Queen Animal County 804-785-5975

King William Sheriff’s Office 804-769-4923

Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office 804-462-5111

For Adult Cats

Having your pets wear current and traceable identification such as licenses, ID tags,
microchips or tattoos is a very valuable tool to help you regain your pet in the shortest time possible.