One day, you decide to go to the store without a dog, so you let him run free in the fenced backyard of your home. You have no idea, but the lock on the gate is starting to come loose, and then a burst of wind smashes the gate open. This leads your pup goes to play around the neighbourhood. In that situation, your dog may be taken in some time by an officer of the animal control department, and there is thankfully no incident. The law enforcement officer leaves a message on your voicemail informing you that your canine companion is healthy but that he will be sending him to the pound since he is not licensed or registered.
You have no idea why it was necessary to take your pooch to the animal shelter. He had his tags on, which included your contact data and evidence that he had been vaccinated against rabies. While driving to the pound, you wonder if the animal shelter had the authority to impound your dog or not and if yes, what’s the procedure, penalty or cost to get back your pet immediately?
The cost to get your dog out of the pound can be anywhere from $40 to $120, depending on where you reside. The cost is determined by various factors, such as the geography of the facility, the type of animal care centre/shelter, and the age of the animal being impounded.
What might happen to your dog if it were picked up by the pound?
If the legitimate pet owners do not come forward, the animal will be considered “abandoned” and turned over to the pound.
If the pound does not comply with the precise processes outlined in the legislation, it has the authority to either euthanize the animal or make arrangements for its adoption, released to a rescue organization, or placed in a shelter.
What type of repercussions will there be as a result?
The cost you are required to pay to get your pet from the pound differs from one unit of local government to the next. The fee may increase based on the period that your dog is held at the pound, in addition to the likelihood that it has a microchip already implanted in its body. For example, if a puppy is microchipped and freed from the pound on the first day, the fee to get it out of the pound while it is in the care of most US cities is $40. The price will be increased by about $30 if your dog does not have a chip or is not carrying an ID tag. In addition, you will be charged an extra $15 for each day your dog is detained in impound (as impound fees). That comes to a total cost of less than $85 for only one day’s worth of pounding.
If your pup goes missing, conducting a quick search on Google can help you calculate the expenses associated with discovering and retrieving your pet if it is lost. In addition, you may contact your local government; if you do so, they will be more than happy to assist you and answer any questions you might have.
What should you do if your dog is picked up as a stray by a pound?
In the event that someone finds your dog wandering the streets and brings it to a shelter/pound, there are a few things you may take to ensure that your pet is returned to you as promptly and securely as possible:
- Never let your dog outside alone. Even if your yard is entirely encircled by fencing, you should never let your dog’s outside unless you are there and able to keep an eye on them.
- You should give your dog an identity tag and ensure that all of the contact details on the tag are kept up to date.
- Make sure the rabies shot your dog receives is up to date. Ensure that you have a tag and multiple copies of a certificate that accurately describes your dog’s most recent rabies vaccine and that you keep both of these items on your dog at all times.
- Register your pet with the appropriate authorities in the community in which you live. You should always maintain your dog’s license and the tags that go with it up to date. You should also preserve several copies of the certificate that verifies your dog has been appropriately licensed and registered.
- Attach the identity tag, the rabies tag, the license and registration tag, and the registration tag to your dog’s collar as securely as possible. When you go out with your dog, check to see that she is wearing her collar and identification tags.
- Do not rely only on the tags provided. Get a microchip for your pup and ensure that it has several backup contacts attached to it, including the information for your pooch’s veterinarian and other people. They can be reached in an emergency. Obtain a tag for your dog that indicates that it has a microchip and provides the contact information for the business that manufactured the microchip, just in case the chip fails.
- If your canine companion has any unique medical requirements or allergic reactions, you should make sure to have a distinct tag that is highly visible to warn others about these requirements. This information should be included on the microchip and in the registration of all your dogs.
- Don’t be afraid to make more tags and add information to other microchips if it seems suitable to do so. For example, a reputable rescue organization will provide you with a tag that you can attach to the collar of your rescue, will ask you to include them in the information that you provide to the company that makes microchips, and will not hesitate to move in and assert your dog if you are unable to do so for whatever reason.
