Always approach stray animals slowly and cautiously while speaking in a calm, gentle voice. You can also use food to coax a frightened animal into approaching you.
Contain the animal, if you can do so safely. Dogs should be secured using a leash or contained in a fenced yard.
Check for ID, if you can do so safely.
Never put yourself in harm’s way by attempting to capture an animal that is behaving aggressively. If you cannot safely approach the animal or if it runs away, call either of the following to report it:
Be sure to give the dispatcher a good description of the animal and the street address where it was last seen.
→ If the animal is wearing an ID tag with owner information, contact the owner immediately to facilitate a quick return home. If the pet is wearing ID, but you are unable to immediately reach the owner, you may choose to hold the pet for a few hours to see if the owner calls back.
→ If you choose to wait for the owner to call back, we still advise that you file a “found” report with the Clermont County Dog Warden by calling (513) 732-8854 or emailing dogwarden@clermontcountyohio.gov. By email, include a photo, if possible, and the address where the animal was found.
→ If you are unable to hold the animal, we invite you to bring it to the Clermont County Animal Shelter at 4025 Filager Road, Batavia, OH 45103 during public hours or call us to schedule pickup at (513) 732-8854.
→ If the dog is licensed, wearing a tag but there is no contact information visible, call DocuPet’s Home Safe dispatch telephone number at 1-877-239-6072 or visit www.docupet.com to report the dog. DocuPet will contact the owner on your behalf.
→ You may also call the Clermont County Auditor’s office to report a found dog that is wearing a tag: (513) 732-7150.
→ If you can transport the animal to a local veterinarian, the office will scan for a microchip at no charge. A registered microchip, often implanted between the shoulder blades of an animal, has owner contact information.
→ Bring pets with no ID to the Clermont County Animal Shelter. If the animal has no ID tag or microchip, its best chance of being reunited with its owner is most likely at the animal shelter. The shelter is the most common place where owners are likely to look for lost pets.
→ Take a picture of the lost pet and post fliers in your neighborhood, local veterinary offices and pet stores, and online.
→ Take a picture of the lost pet and post fliers in your neighborhood, local veterinary offices and pet stores, and online. See the following tips and resources:
Be sure to include:
→ Post online to your personal Facebook page and community groups:
