If You’ve Lost a Pet
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If an animal is in our care, it will post to the gallery below. Please note, our lost pet listings may not be updated in real time, please be sure to check back during normal business hours.
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Submit a Lost Pet Report: Include a clear photo, description, microchip info (if applicable), and contact details so we can reach you swiftly if your pet arrives.
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Share Online: Post in area lost & found groups and national lost pet databases. Stray hold periods vary by state and often even by county.
Additional Resources
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Petco Love LostPetco Love Lost
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PawBoostPawBoost
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PetLinkPetLink
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Home AgainHome Again
Lost Pet Search Tips — What You Can Do
Search and wait smartly
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Start by searching the area where your pet was last seen. Walk slowly, call their name, and check hidden areas such as under decks, porches, bushes, sheds, and garages. Cats often stay very close to home and hide quietly.
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If you see your dog, do not chase them. Sit down or crouch, stay calm, and speak gently. Chasing can cause a frightened dog to run farther away.
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Cats are often more active at night or early in the morning. Quietly check hiding places during these times using a flashlight.
Get the word out
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Post flyers with a clear photo, description, and contact information. Place them around your neighborhood, at busy intersections, vet offices, pet stores, and community boards.
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Share your lost pet on social media and local community groups. Ask friends and neighbors to share your post to increase visibility.
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Be sure to include when and where your pet was last seen.
Use familiar scents
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Place an item of your clothing, your pet’s bedding, or a favorite toy near the area where your pet went missing. Familiar scents can help guide them back.
Food and humane traps
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High-quality, strong-smelling food or cat food may help attract a lost pet, especially shy cats.
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Humane traps can be effective for frightened or hiding cats. Our shelter rents traps and can provide guidance on safe placement and use. Check traps frequently.
Reach out for help
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Contact the shelter as soon as possible to report your pet missing and provide a photo and description.
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Check with local veterinary offices in case your pet has been found and brought in.
Check often
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Visit and check shelters frequently, even if your pet was lost nearby. Lost pets can arrive at shelters at any time and sometimes are found in a neighboring community.
If You’ve Found a Pet
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Check for ID or Microchip: If safe, bring the animal to the shelter so staff can scan for microchips or check for tags. If you visit a veterinary office, please ask if they have a universal chip scanner. Not all scanners will read all chips.
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Submit a Found Pet Report: Your details help us match the pet to any reports we’ve received. Please be sure to indicate if you plan to hold the stray animal or plan to turn it over to our custody.
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Keep Them Safe: If you’re able, hold the pet temporarily while we try to locate the owner.
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Stray Turn In: We do our best to accept most domesticated, stray animals at our shelter during regular business hours at 2517 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD 21158. After hours, an emergency drop-off for stray animals is located at the rear of our shelter. Upon arrival, follow the directions on the door which provides a phone number to contact an on-call officer. You will be asked to provide a photo ID. Please make sure you have spoken to an Animal Control officer prior to leaving an animal on our grounds. Re-homing of pets requires an advanced appointment unless extenuating circumstances exist.
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Animal Control Officer Assistance: If you would like to request animal control officer assistance, please call (410) 848-4810 option 2 during regular business hours. If you plan to hold an animal for it's stray period, file a found report or call (410) 848-4810 option 3.
Report A Lost or Found Pet
Additional Resources
If your pet has been brought to our shelter, please reclaim them as soon as possible.
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Humane Society of Carroll County – 2517 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, Maryland 21158
Reclaiming Hours:
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Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
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Thursday: 8:30am-7:00pm
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Saturday: 9:00am–2:00pm
What to Bring (Proof of Ownership)
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Veterinary records
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Photos of your pet
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Carroll County Dog License
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Microchip information
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Valid photo ID
Reclaiming Fees
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$10 per day
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Additional fines may apply.
Licensing
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Spayed/neutered dog: $5 (senior citizens 62+ yrs: $3)
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Intact dog: $25 (senior: $10)
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Duplicate license: $1
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$10 late fee will apply if purchased after March 1 for that calendar year.
Frequently Asked Questions
A valid photo ID, proof of address, and adoption fee. If you rent, please bring proof of pet acceptance.
Fees typically cover spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, flea/tick treatment, deworming, and microchipping.
The process can often be completed the same day if all paperwork and approvals are in order. Some adoptions may take longer if the spay/neuter surgery has not yet been performed.
Adoption holds are only available when a spay/neuter surgery is pending. All adoptions are first-come, first-served.
Some animals may be eligible for foster-to-adopt programs so you can see if the pet is a good fit before finalizing.
Yes — if the adoption isn’t a good match, you are welcome to privately re-home the pet to help keep animals out of the shelter environment. If no other alternative is found, you are welcome to return the animal to us so we can find another suitable home. When possible, please schedule your return in advance here.
We recommend a meet-and-greet for dogs to ensure compatibility and proof of current pets being up-to-date on vaccines. Even if two dogs have met and gotten along at the shelter, it’s important to reintroduce them slowly when bringing them into a home together. The change in environment, new sights, smells, and routines can shift dynamics. Keep interactions calm and supervised at first, allowing them plenty of space to adjust. Begin with short periods together indoors or in the yard, watching closely for signs of stress or resource guarding over food, toys, or sleeping areas. Maintain separate feeding spots and resting places initially, and provide lots of positive reinforcement for relaxed, appropriate behavior. With patience, consistency, and gentle guidance, most dogs will settle into their new pack routine and build a happy bond.
Introducing a new shelter pet to a resident cat should be done slowly and thoughtfully to ensure a smooth transition. Start by keeping them in separate rooms so they can get used to each other’s scents under a closed door. Gradually swap bedding or use a blanket to gently “scent exchange” before allowing visual introductions through a baby gate or cracked door. Once both animals seem calm and curious rather than fearful, you can begin short, supervised interactions. Always monitor body language closely and proceed at the pace of the more hesitant pet. Patience is key to building a peaceful and lasting relationship.
Yes — all pets are spayed/neutered prior to adoption. Occasionally, you will be asked to return to the shelter with your new pet for it’s spay/neuter appointment.
Yes, but renters must provide proof that pets are allowed and may have to meet specific pet guidelines from their landlord.
We accept cash, credit/debit cards, and sometimes checks. Adoption fees are due at the time of adoption.
Generally yes, once applications are approved, although some pets may receive multiple applications which are reviewed for best fit.
Applications may be denied due to concerns about housing, compatibility with children or other pets, veterinary references, or lifestyle fit.
A post-adoption check-up with your veterinarian is recommended within 7–10 days to establish care and continue vaccine series if needed.

