If you have lost an animal in or around Hayward, it is important to start looking as soon as possible. Come to the Hayward Animal Shelter to file a lost animal report. We recommend that you bring a photo of the animal to include in the report to make it easier to identify your pet.

Even after filling out a lost animal report it is beneficial to come and look through the shelter in person. The shelter staff will make every attempt to reunite you with your lost animal, but please be aware that due to the high volume of animals that come through the shelter on a daily basis, it is not possible to check every lost animal report against every animal that comes in.

We will also provide other ideas on how to find your pet. We recommend checking the website www.petharbor.com for lost animals in addition to visiting local shelters.

Additional Shelters

• San Leandro Animal Control Program - (510) 577-3206
• Alameda Animal Shelter - (510) 337-8565
• Oakland Animal Shelter - (510) 535-5602
• Peninsula Humane Society - (650) 340-8200 Ext. 339
• San Francisco Animal Care and Control - (415) 554-9408
• Marin Humane Society - (415) 883-4621
• Palo Alto Animal Services - (650) 496-5971
• Santa Clara Humane Society - (408) 262-2133
• Contra Costa Animal Control - (925) 335-8300

Found Animals

If you find a stray cat or dog in Hayward, the law requires that you report the animal to the Animal Services Bureau within eight (8) hours. Remember -- you may have have found someone's lost pet!

You will need to provide the following information:

• A description of the animal along with any identification tag it is wearing
• The location where the animal was found
• Your name, address and phone numbers where you can be contacted

If the animal is wearing a current City of Hayward license, the owner will be contacted to arrange for pet's return.

In the case of an animal that cannot immediately be identified, you may turn it over to the Animal Shelter or house the animal in your home. An animal impounded into the shelter without identification or a microchip is held 4 working days. An animal impounded with identification or microchip is held for 10 working days. If you choose to house the animal in your home, you must call the shelter to file a found report, have the animal scanned for a microchip and photograph the animal. All of this can be done at the shelter.

If you are unable to transport a found dog, an Animal Control Officer will pick up the animal. Animal Control does not have the staff to come out and pick up found healthy cats. It is the responsibility of the finder to bring found cat(s) to the shelter.

If no owner has been located within 30 days, you become the new owner by law.

Please call the Animal Services Bureau for advice on found birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Many species are native to this area and if found in good health you may be asked to release them where they were found instead of bringing them to the Animal Shelter. Please call with a description of the animal for specific information.

For information and advice regarding native wildlife in the Hayward area, you can contact Sulphur Creek Nature Center at (510) 881-6747. For nuisance wildlife concerns Alameda County Vector Control can be contacted at (510) 567-6800.