FOUND PET

First let us thank you for taking the time to helping a pet in need. Now here are somethings you can do to help reunite the animal with their family.
When turning an animal into animal control, give them as much information as you possibly can regarding the exact location where you found the animal. (E.g. intersections, mile markers, Date, time of day/night etc.)
If you find a dog in a rural area, it is possible the dog is not lost but just roaming around. If you see any properties nearby, you may want to check with them to see if they know who the owner is.  Of course if the animal appears to be in immediate danger (busy highway) it is best to remove it from that situation.
If you live a long distance away from where you found the dog, please try to drop the animal off at the local animal control facility. Removing the animal from the location (city/county) where it was found makes it less likely that the animal can be reunited with its family.

LOST PET

Oh, no! Your furry or purry friend just dashed out the door or broke his leash and ran off down the street. However it happened all you know is that your furry one is not where s/he should be - at home with you. What do you do now? 
First, call your county police dispatch (Animal Control) with a report including a detailed description of your pet and exactly where he or she went missing. Animal Control hours are by appointment only.

• In Ashland County call 715-682-7023.

• In Bayfield County call 715-373-6120.

These departments will keep your information on record and call you if your pet is picked up. However, you should maintain contact and actively look for your lost pet.  Sometimes animals are found without tags and/or microchips and can not be readily identified.  Therefore visit or contact Animal Control regularly.
Please remember that the CHA is NOT Animal Control. If your pet is picked up by Animal Control, it will not be brought up to the CHA, it will be taken to the animal control facility. Animal Control will hold an animal during 7 days to give owners an opportunity to find them. If an animal is not claimed by its owner within that period, two or more things may happen: 

• Animal Control may adopt the animal directly to the public (if the animal is deemed adoptable), or 
• The animal may be transferred to the CHA  for adoption.
• Animal Control may send the animal out of the area to be placed for adoption.

It is also a good idea to check the Ashland/ Bayfield County Animal Control Petfinder list here , our Petfinder list here as well as our Facebook Page here and this website. Please check regularly, animals can arrive at any time to the CHA after being released from Animal Control.  In the event you see your pet on one of these lists, be sure to call the contact person right away and arrange to bring proof of ownership, such as a picture. Fees may apply to reclaim your pet.
If you are planning on offering a reward for the return of your pet, please consider the following.  A reward may  generate an incentive for people to find your dog, but this can also cause problems. Your pet, who may already be spooked or scared, may become even more afraid, thus making it harder to catch if people start chasing it in the hopes of collecting a reward. In an effort to escape from his pursuers, your pet may also get into trouble by either biting someone or worse bolting into traffic trying to get away. You may also have to deal with unscrupulous "finders" who may try to take advantage of the situation, especially when you're at your most vulnerable and emotional.  Never pay a reward until you have your dog back and never go to meet the finder by yourself.  
Here are some other Other helpful things you can do to help your furry loved one find his way back home.

• Contact local veterinaries, groomers, rescues - contact these businesses within an hour or two hour radius form your home. Notify multiple shelters/rescues/veterinary offices in the area.  In our area, that would include, Superior, Hayward, Ironwood and everything in between.  How would your dog get so far so quick? Easy.  A good Samaritan could have picked up your dog with every intention of finding you, the owner, but they are just driving through the area, so when they make it home 1 hour or more away, the person posts the animal, or turns it into a shelter, vet, groomer they're familiar with.  Pets are also quite capable of travelling great distances, especially if they're large animals, in a very short period of time.
• Go to locations you normally frequent with your pet and place a familiar item there perhaps some food.  Place a sign next to the items so people know not to remove them. The familiar scent may cause your pet to hang around the area making it more likely for you to find it. Return to the location(s) frequently. 
• Let your friends on social media know that your pet is lost - post a picture. Notifying your friends and family increases the chances that someone will see your pet posted on our website, Facebook or PetFinder page. If your dog is shy, ask people not to chase them, just let you know of any sightings.
• Put up posters through your community, but be mindful of sign ordinances.  Your poster won't be very helpful if it is taken down because it's placed in a location where signs are not allowed. 

You can use this poster template. 

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