Found a Stray Animal?

Stray animals: (Animals found with no owner present)

• The shelter takes in all stray animals as they come through the door if kennel space is available. There is no fee assessed to these animals, but a donation to help care for them is always welcome.
• These animals are held for seven days when possible. In cases that the stray animal is sick, injured or aggressive, the animal may be humanely euthanized before the seven-day holding period is up.
• Stray animals are advertised on HART’s Facebook page as a courtesy. If not claimed by the end of the holding period, the animal becomes property of HART and is entered into the intake process.

Impounded Animals: (Animals running at large in a contract impound area)

• Impound animals are brought to HART by either animal control or a law enforcement officer.
• If the animal has identification, the officer will attempt to contact the owner before impounding it. Animals that are brought to the shelter are scanned for a microchip.
• All impound animals are held for contracted holding time. With the exception of sick, injured or highly aggressive animals.
• All owners claiming their animal from impound are required to pay all fees set by the municipality before the animal is released.
• Impound animals are the property of the municipality that authorized impounding.
• Animals are assessed and medically tested at the end of the impound hold and either are placed on the HART adoption floor or humanely euthanized.
• All animals are held a minimum of seven (7) days unless they are injured, ill or aggressive to the point of putting staff in danger.  HART contracts with several municipalities for impound services and abides by their contract.

What number do I call when I find a stray?
Contact your local law enforcement at 218-829-4749 to see if you are in an impound pickup area, or HART at 218-829-4141.