if you find a stray dog/cat

For the sake of the owner who may be seeking his or her lost pet, it is very important that the animal be taken to the shelter where the owner may come to look for the animal. The Humane Society strongly urges that you do not relinquish the animal to a rescue organization that does not work under contract to handle strays. These types of groups typically do not take the necessary steps to locate the owner; hence, the owner may have little chance of finding their lost dog or cat, which would be a tragedy.

Any person attempting to bring a stray dog or cat to the Humane Society must present valid photo identification. No animal can be accepted at an animal shelter
without identification by the relinquisher. We hold stray animals for a minimum of 48 hours. If the pet is not reclaimed, it will go through a series of temperament and health exams to see if it is fit for adoption.

Millcreek Township Stray Dogs & Cats
The Humane Society maintains a contract with the Millcreek Township to accept and shelter stray dogs and cats found within the township’s boundaries.
If you find a stray dog or cat in Millcreek, call the Millcreek Police Department at
(814)833-7777 and they should arrange for the Animal Control Officer to pick up the animal from you. The Officer will bring the animal to the Humane Society for sheltering. The Humane Society will attempt to find the owner. If the owner is not identified, the Humane Society will assess the animal for adoptability and adoption placement.

Summit Township Stray Dogs & Cats
The Humane Society also maintains an agreement with Summit Township to accept and
shelter stray dogs and cats found within the township’s boundaries. The finder of the animal will be asked to contact the township’s offices at (814) 868-9686 to obtain an incident number which authorizes the Humane Society to accept the animal on behalf of the township.

City of Erie Stray Dogs & Cats
The ANNA Shelter is contracted to take in city strays. It is illegal for the Humane Society or any other institution to take in city strays. The finder must call Erie Animal Enforcement through the police department: (814) 870-1125.

The Animal Enforcement Officer will take the animal to the ANNA Shelter for it to find its owner. To Contact the ANNA Shelter, call (814) 451-0230.

Erie County Stray Dogs
Stray dogs (only) found in Erie County must be reported to the State Dog Warden, who can
be reached at (814) 456-9294.  Stray dogs are taken to the County Stray Dog Shelter at Summit, phone number (814) 868-5200.

There is no municipal/governmental solution for County stray cats. The finder of the cat
should call around to the aforementioned shelters and report the animal as found in an attempt to find the owner. If the finder is willing to pay our intake fee of $35.00, they are welcome to bring the cat into the Humane Society and surrender it as their own.