RETURN TO OWNER

Here are some things you can do that will help you reunite with your pet if the unthinkable happens.

• Microchip your pet. (Make sure during your pet's annual checkup the veterinary scans their chip to make sure it's still active. Some times, not always, but sometimes the chips can fail.)  If your pet's microchip has failed, it will be necessary to implant another. Sometimes they migrate.  At CHA, we scan a dog from head to tail when it arrives because we know that chips can migrate. Especially when placed on a dog that is young.Testing them during every visit is a great way to ensure you can be reached. If you move, don't forget to contact the microchip company and update your information. Many pets who are micro-chipped still cannot be reunited because the shelters reach a dead-end microchip. (A microchip that has no updated information such as address, phone number of the owner.) 
• Use a slide on name tag instead of a hanging name tag or both.  Sometimes those tags can get snagged on something or fall off. If you cannot afford the cost of these tags, then use a permanent marker to inscribe the pet's name and your phone number. You will have to keep doing this periodically to ensure the information can still be read.  If you would like to purchase a slide on tag, here's a link. We are not associated with this vendor.  https://www.dogids.com/category/slide-on-nameplates.
• By using all these methods combined you are increasing your chances of being reunited with your animal.
• Please do not wait for your dog to return before filing a lost dog report. Filing an early report, using social media, and old fashioned methods (not everyone is on facebook) such as calling animal control/shelters, etc increase your chances.
• Be aware of the hold periods in your area. In Wisconsin, recent legislation was passed that decreased the amount of days an animal must be held before it can be released for adoption. That number is now 4 days. If a stray dog is ever brought into the CHA we will continue to hold it for a minimum of 7 days before it's made available for adoption. More often than not, the animal will be transferred to animal control since this is where owners will most likely look for their lost animals. If the animal is coming from animal control, the 7 day period would be served while at animal control and the animal can be placed for adoption immediately. So don't wait. As soon as you realize your animal is lost. Call, post, share.  We hope you never have to deal with the grief of losing an animal companion but if you do, we hope these preventive measures will help you reunite.