Lost and Found animals
Did you find a stray cat? - The shelter is not currently taking in healthy stray cats.
Is entering an animal shelter always the best option for a cat?
Did you know that lost cats are far more likely to be reunited with their owners if they remain in the neighborhood where they were found than if they are removed and taken to a shelter? Stray holds range from 72 hours to 4 days, and in that time owners may not even be aware their cat is missing (especially if the cat is indoor/outdoor.)
There will always be cats who need sheltering, but for many cats, there are better, more appropriate alternatives that will serve the cat, community, and shelter better. To talk about options for a cat you have located, please contact the shelter.
Did you find a stray kitten? Click HERE
Did you find a stray dog?
Did you know that most dogs will be reunited with their owner within 48 hours? Holding the dog overnight in your home (if possible) might help the chances of reuniting that dog with its owner.
48 hours - If a finder is willing to hold on to the dog for 48 hours after finding it, the chances of reuniting the dog with the owner are much greater and may cause less stress for the dog. Social media, filing found reports with local shelters, scanning for a microchip, etc. are easy steps to try and reunite the lost dog and the owner.
If you are unable to hold on to the dog, and the dog was found in the city limits of Hayward, you can bring that dog into the shelter during our normal business hours.
Prior to bringing an animal to the shelter, you should try to locate the owner
1. Check the pet for identification
2. Check for a microchip- This can be done at a local shelter or a veterinarian's office
3. File a found pet report with your local shelter
4. Canvas the area- Place found pet flyers in the area. Go around the neighborhood trying to locate the owner.
5. Spread the news - Post a photo and "found pet" ad with FindingRover, Nextdoor, and local lost and found animal groups on Facebook and other social media.
Facebook groups and pages:
Hayward Area Lost & Found Pets Facebook group
Hayward, CA - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets Facebook page
Lost and Found pets/rescue animals(BAY AREA) Facebook group
Feral cats/Community cats
The shelter does not take in feral cats in traps without appointments. If you have feral cats in your community, we recommend you look at our TNR page.
Feral cats also known as community cats have and will always be a part of our community. Participating in a TNR program is the most humane way to deal with cat overpopulation.
Are you missing an animal?
Make sure to complete a lost animal repot.
The shelter uses software that automatically uploads a picture to 24PetConnect. It is recommended to check the site daily as it updates frequently.
If you are planning on keeping the animal at your house while you look for the owner you will need to make a found animal report with local animals shelters, and have the animal scanned for a microchip at vet office or animal shelter.
Tips for a Lost Animal
If you have lost you animal you can search for it online on 24petconnect.com
Instructions for 24PetConnect:
1. Enter your zip code and hit "enter" button. This will bring up animal shelters in your area that post animals on 24PetConnect
(*Note: Not all animal shelters use 24PetConnect so it is still a good idea to reach out to your local shelter directly to see if your animal came in)
2. Select the shelters you want and then click "search selected shelters"
3. For "Search Type" click "Lost my Pet"
4. For "Choose Animal Type" select the species you lost then click "Search Now"
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Depending on where you live, will determine where your animal might have went. You can use Hayward GIS and AlCo Parcel Viewer to help you determine jurisdictions.
On Hayward GIS, incorporated Hayward is shaded beige, unincoporated and non-Hayward areas are whited out.
Please use the guide below to determine which shelter to bring the animal to.
If the Animal was Found in... the shelter the animal should go to...
Incorporated City of Hayward
Hayward Animal Shelter
16 Barnes Court, Hayward CA
(510) 293 - 7200
Unincorporated Hayward
Unincorporated San Leandro*
San Lorenzo
Castro Valley
East County Animal Shelter
4695 Gleason Drive, Dublin CA
Shelter: (925) 803 - 7040
Field Services: (510) 667 - 7763
Fremont
Union City
Newark
*Incorporated San Leandro's lost and found animals are now being housed at East Bay SPCA Oakland and no longer at Tri- City Animal Shelter.
Tri-City Animal Shelter
1950 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont CA
(510) 790 - 6640
Oakland
Oakland Animal Services
1101 29th Ave, Oakland
(510) 535 - 5602
Alameda
Alameda Animal Shelter
1590 Fortmann Way, Alameda, CA
(510) 337 - 8565