As a community resource, we provide a safe place to bring stray, lost and found pets. If your pet is missing, we’re here to help.
If your pet is missing, or if you’ve found a stray pet, you’ve come to the right place! AWS keeps a detailed log of lost and found pets, so that we can reunite as many families as possible.
We have relationships with area municipalities so that we can act as the impound facility for pets lost and found in their jurisdictions, usually brought in by animal control officers (ACOs). ACOs have 24/7 access to AWS so your pet will be safe indoors after the ACO drops them off, even in the overnight hours. AWS staff arrive by 8 am and check for stray pets first thing. We scan for a microchip and review the lost pet report right away. As required by state law, we hold dogs for 6 days, while we hold cats for 48 hours. After their hold period, if unclaimed, we prepare the pets for adoption.
If you have found a pet that you think is lost or stray, please call us at (207) 985-3244. We also encourage you to contact your local animal control officer.
If your pet has gone missing, begin by filling out this form.
Once you click submit, the information will be sent to us right away, and we will add your pet’s details to our log of missing animals.
If and when your pet comes into our care, we will call you using the phone number you provide.
We encourage you to utilize these resources to cast as wide a net as possible. Our community is wonderful at sharing and helping lost pets find their way home. Using these resources will ensure that your community knows your pet is lost. Sometimes when a caring community member finds a pet outside, they assume it is stray (and therefore without a family), and not someone’s lost pet.
You can reach your local ACO through your town’s non-emergency police phone number or by looking up the number here.
Maine Lost Dog Recovery and other online sites will provide templates to make a poster. If not, making one at home is easy. List the pet’s name in large letters and include the location lost and a good quality photo that shows as much of your pet as possible. Be sure to include a phone number for people to reach you directly with sightings or information.
Some microchips companies offer resources to help spread the word about lost pets.
We’re glad we were able to care for your pet while it was missing. We love happy reunions.
We do not charge a fee to claim your pet, though we are always happy to accept donations. Some towns we contract with for animal control services charge impound fees, which we may collect at time of claim and send to your town, or can be paid at your city/town hall prior to picking up your pet at AWS.
Animal Control Officers (ACOs) are trained professionals employed by a local municipality (usually the police department) to handle all calls related to stray, homeless lost or found pets.
Some ACOs are also sworn police officers, and some investigate animal cruelty and neglect cases in their jurisdictions.
ACOs are always on the look out for missing pets, so it’s important to report your lost pet to your local ACO.
AWS has a strong relationship with the ACOs in our local communities, and we act as the impound facility for pets found by ACOs. ACOs have 24/7 access to AWS so that any pets they find can immediately have safe and comfortable accommodations.
Once dropped off at AWS, ACOs will provide AWS with information about where the lost pet was found and assist with reunification.
For more information, please contact our Animal Care Team via email or telephone at (207) 985-3244.
