The Toledo Humane Society does not accept stray or free-roaming dogs. These dogs are taken to the county dog warden or animal control facility where they are held for the required stray period.
If you have lost a dog, please check the county shelter where your dog was likely found. If you live near a county line, we recommend checking both county shelters.
If your dog has been missing for a while, expand your search to include nearby shelters and rescue organizations, as dogs may be transferred after the stray hold period.
Lucas County Canine Care and Control - (419) 213-2800
410 Erie Street
Toledo, OH 43604
Wood County Dog Shelter - (419) 354-9242
1912 E Gypsy Lane Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402
There is no required stray hold for cats in the county. As a courtesy, the Toledo Humane Society holds found cats for 3 days if they were not kept by the finder or if they are altered and wearing a collar or microchip. Because intake dates and shelter space can vary, it’s important to start searching for your lost cat right away and check often. You can view cats currently in our care that were found as strays below on this page.
You may also want to check with nearby shelters, including Wood County Humane Society, Paws and Whiskers, and Maumee Valley Save-a-Pet.
Local rescue groups may also list pets on sites like Petfinder.com or AdoptAPet.com.
If you find a lost pet, it’s important to try to locate the owner whenever possible.
Pets may appear scared, injured, or in poor condition for many reasons such as being lost for a long time, being new to a home, being elderly, or having a medical condition. These situations are not always related to neglect. It is always best to attempt to locate an owner, and contact the appropriate authorities if you have a concern about returning an animal to its owner after the owner has been located.
Before returning a pet, ask for proof of ownership. If you have concerns or questions, contact your local animal shelter for guidance.
Check for ID
Look for an identification tag, rabies tag, or dog license on the collar. This may allow you to contact the owner directly. If the pet has no ID, take them to a vet clinic or shelter to be scanned for a microchip.
If the dog has a Lucas County dog license, you can search the owner through the Lucas County Canine Care & Control online license lookup.
Use Petco Love Lost
Petco Love Lost is a free service that uses facial recognition software to compare a lost pet’s photo with any missing reports that may have been created by the owner.
Post Found Pet Flyers
If you plan to hold the pet while searching for the owner, post flyers in the area where the pet was found. Share them with neighbors, nearby businesses, vet offices, and shelters. This is especially helpful for cats, who often stay within a few blocks of where they were lost.
Post Online
File a found pet report on sites like PawBoost, NextDoor, Craigslist, Pet Harbor, as well as local Toledo Area Lost and Found Pets pet Facebook groups. Be sure to note if the pet has been taken to a shelter. A popular lost and found pet group in the Toledo area is Toledo Area Lost and Found Pets
Toledo Humane Society does not accept stray or free roaming dogs, and they will generally need to be held for a required stray hold by the county shelter. Please contact the animal control facility or dog warden for the county where the dog was found to arrange a drop off or for more information about stray hold requirements:
Lucas County Canine Care and Control -(419) 213-2800
410 Erie Street
Toledo, OH 43604
Wood County Dog Shelter - (419) 354-9242
1912 E Gypsy Lane Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402
There is a large community cat population in the Toledo area, including both owned and unowned free-roaming cats.
The Toledo Humane Society accepts friendly owned or stray cats by appointment. Because of high demand, there may be a waiting list to surrender a healthy found cat. During this time, we encourage you to continue searching for the cat’s owner.
For more information about surrendering a cat, visit the Surrender a Pet page on our website. If the cat is ill or injured, please contact us immediately at info@toledohumane.org or (419) 891-0705 ext. 325.
You may also check with nearby shelters such as Wood County Humane Society, Paws and Whiskers, and Maumee Valley Save-a-Pet.
Some independent rescue groups may also accept cats and list them on sites like Petfinder.com or AdoptAPet.com
Identification is the key to being reunited with your pet in the event that your pet becomes lost. Ensuring that your pet is wearing a collar with legible and current owner identification will be the fastest and most efficient way to get your pet back home. Microchipping, a tag-less and permanent form of identification, is also a great safety net in the event that your pet goes missing while they are not wearing a collar or tag.
The Toledo Humane Society offers engraved owner ID tags for purchase, as well as microchip implantation by appointment.
Learn More About Microchipping Your PetA microchip is a permanent form of identification your pet can’t lose. It contains no battery, so it lasts for your pet’s lifetime. When a lost pet is found, a scanner passed over the shoulder blades reads the chip’s unique ID number, which is linked to your contact information.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, microchipped dogs are 2.5 times more likely to be reunited with their owners, and microchipped cats are 20 times more likely to return home. Pairing a microchip with a collar and ID tag greatly increases the chances of being reunited with your pet.
Microchipping is generally available by appointment at Toledo Humane Society Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. The cost of a microchip is $25.00 and includes the activation of the microchip through 24PetWatch.
Email info@toledohumane.org or call (419)891-0705 ext. 325 to schedule an appointment today!
This section shows cats currently in our care that were found as stray or free-roaming before arriving at the shelter.
Lucas County does not require a stray hold for cats. As a courtesy, the Toledo Humane Society will hold found cats for 3 days if they were not kept by the finder or if they are already altered and wearing a collar or microchip. Because the date a cat was lost and the date they arrive at the shelter can vary, it’s important to begin searching immediately and check frequently.
If you believe your missing cat may be in our care, please contact us right away at info@toledohumane.org or (419) 891-0705 ext. 325.
Mission Statement: The Toledo Humane Society leads the community in efforts focused on relieving the suffering of, preventing cruelty to and providing for the humane treatment of animals.
