Lost & Found Pets

Don't forget to check with RCHS if you've lost your pet. Cupcake was reclaimed at an RCHS offsite event after having been missing for over a year! Pictured are her overjoyed family: (L-R) Brendan, Jillian and Kim Barnett.

I've lost my pet. What should I do?

If you’ve lost a pet you should immediately file a lost pet report with RCHS by calling 304-636-7844 during normal business hours (noted at left). You can also visit our shelter to see pets that have been brought to us or that have been reported as found. Our News section and Facebook page also have photos and information on lost animals that have been found. 

All stray animals brought to RCHS are held for five days to allow the owner time to claim them. After this period, unclaimed animals may be made available for adoption.

We Help Lost Pets Get Back Home

When RCHS receives a stray animal, we try to contact the owner by calling all phone numbers listed on tags or any other available identification. We also scan stray pets for a microchip. If we find a microchip, we call the registration company for any available owner contact information and call all phone numbers available.

If a stray pet is found in another jurisdiction, we also contact the animal shelter for that jurisdiction for potential lost pet reports and to file a found pet report.

In order to identify and reclaim your lost pet from RCHS, owners should bring proof of ownership such as photographs or veterinary records. Dog owners should bring written proof of current dog license. Dog and cat owners should bring written proof of current rabies vaccination.

Search The Animals at RCHS

Check out the list of recent arrivals to RCHS.

You can also view all of the animals at RCHS, or search for a specific type, breed, or gender:

 Search Successes

I've found a stray animal. What should I do?

You have three options:

• First, you can elect to care for the animal in your home while trying to locate the owner. Call RCHS at 304-636-7844 to file a found pet report, for assistance tracing tags, and to get additional information on ways to find the owner.

• Second, you can confine the animal and call your local animal control agency for pick up. Most of the agencies in our area impound the strays they pick up at RCHS. However, some towns have other arrangements for sheltering strays. Also note that some agencies will only pick up dogs and most will not pick up uninjured animals outside their normal business hours.

• Finally, you can bring the animal to RCHS during business hours (noted at left). All stray animals brought to RCHS, whether by animal control or private citizens, are held for five days to allow the owner to claim them. After this period, unclaimed animals may be made available for adoption. Finders wishing to adopt the animal if it is not claimed are subject to regular adoption policies and procedures. They should come to the shelter to fill out an adoption application form prior to the end of the five-day waiting period.

How You Can Help

Learn more about how you can help the animals by adopting, sponsoring or fostering a pet; donating money or supplies; or volunteering with RCHS.