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Lost & Found Pets

FOUND?

What to Do if You Found a Pet

Fill Out this Stray Intake Form

For owner surrenders, click here

If you have found a lost pet in the Auburn/Opelika city limits, you can bring it to CARE by appointment:

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Sunday - Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:30- 2:30 p.m

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We are not capable of picking up strays. If you are reporting an animal at large, you must contact your local animal control:

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• Lee County Animal Control - (334) 737-7013
• Auburn Animal Control - (334) 501-3090
• Opelika Animal Control - (334) 705-5480

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If you have found a lost pet in the Auburn/Opelika city limits after regular operating hours try posting the pet on lost and found pages. https://www.facebook.com/LostPetsAuburnAL

and email lostandfound@carehumane.org.

We will work with you to schedule an appointment to bring the pet in.

​If the animal was found outside of the city limits, you will need to contact the appropriate organization. You can view all animal shelters and rescues in the surrounding areas in the PDF file to the left.

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If found in AU/OP Animal Control Jurisdiction but not within the city limits, you must contact Lee County Animal Control. Appointment is needed for strays and owner surrenders.

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They can be reached at 334-737-7013

Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

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If outside their business hours, you can contact Lee County Sheriff Dept. or Lee County County Commissioner’s Office.

(334) 749-5651

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Alternatively, animals may be dropped off at the Department of Environmental Services located at 100 Orr Avenue, Opelika 36804

Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM.

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They request a call ahead of time so that an animal control officer can be there to greet you. Following this policy will help owners find their lost pets.

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Click here for more information on

Petco's Lost Love

LOST?

What to Do If You Lost a Pet

If you are looking for a lost pet, please visit the shelter during our normal hours:


Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sunday-Friday 8:30- 5:00 p.m

Please e-mail a picture of the lost animal, location last seen, and contact information to lostandfound@carehumane.org.

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Things to Bring to Claim your Lost Pet

Your valid driver’s license or government issued photo identification.

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Proof of ownership: A picture of the pet you are claiming, a description of the animal on a past vet record, or a notarized, written description of the pet that declares that you are the owner.

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Fees associated with claiming your lost pet (see below)

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Claim Fees

$50 + $25 per day of boarding

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Claim fees will be increased if the animal has been in multiple times.

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There will be a 4% processing fee if claiming with card.

Critical Rules for All Locations

  • Call First: Most shelters stop intakes when they reach full capacity. Always call to verify hours and space before arriving.

  • Verify Residency: Almost all municipal shelters require an ID and proof of residency/found location to accept an animal.

  • City Limits Matter: Just because a mailing address names a city does not mean it falls within official city limits.

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Lee County (AL)

  • CARE Humane Society: Serves Auburn and Opelika. Appointment required for strays and surrenders. No after-hours options.

  • Auburn Animal Control: Serves Auburn city limits only. Picks up dogs at large; does not accept cats or surrenders (redirects to CARE).

    • 334-501-3090 (M–F) | 334-501-3159 (Emergencies)

  • Opelika Animal Control: Serves Opelika city limits only. Picks up dogs at large; does not accept cats or surrenders (redirects to CARE).

    • 334-705-5480 (M–F) | 334-750-5200 (Emergencies)

  • Lee County Animal Control: Serves rural Lee County outside Auburn/Opelika limits. Appointment required. Cats accepted only if sick, injured, or involved in a bite case.

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Russell County (AL)

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Macon County (AL)

  • Macon County Animal Control: Compliance office. Call first.

    • 334-724-2558 (8:00 AM–4:30 PM, M–F) | 213 B North Main Street, Tuskegee, AL

  • Tuskegee Animal Shelter: Call for intake availability.

    • 334-724-1264 | Torbert Circle, Tuskegee, AL

    • 334-727-0200 (Tuskegee Police Department)

  • Macon County Humane Society: Private group; no government contract. Not required to take pets. Contact via social media.

  • Big Dog Ranch Rescue Alabama: Private rescue; no government contract. Rarely accepts pit bulls or pit bull mixes.

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Tallapoosa County (AL)

  • Lake Martin Animal Shelter: Serves Tallapoosa County.

  • Alex City Police Department (Animal Control): 256-234-3421

  • Lake Martin Animal Sanctuary: Private group; no government contract. Contact via Facebook or email at lmas2017@yahoo.com.

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Chambers County (AL)

  • Chattahoochee Humane Society: Serves Valley, Lanett, and Chambers County within capacity limits. Call before visiting.

  • City Court Clerks: Contact to redeem a stray pet.

    • 334-864-4348 | 2 LaFayette Street, LaFayette, AL

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Elmore County (AL)

  • Humane Society of Elmore County: Serves Elmore County, Wetumpka, Millbrook, and Tallassee.

  • Animal Control Dispatches:

    • 334-567-5227 (Elmore County Sheriff’s Department)

    • 334-567-3377 (Unincorporated areas, Wetumpka, Deatsville, Eclectic, etc.)

    • 334-283-6586 (Tallassee Police) | 334-285-6832 (Millbrook)

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Montgomery County (AL)

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Muscogee County (GA)

  • Columbus Animal Control: Handles animal control and owner surrenders within Muscogee County.

  • Paws Humane: Owner surrenders by appointment only; requires an online website form.

  • Animal Ark Rescue: Contact via Facebook to discuss surrender options. Located in Columbus, GA.

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Randolph County (AL)

  • Randolph County Animal Shelter: Serves Randolph County. Strays and surrenders by appointment only.

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Wildlife Resources

  • Alabama Wildlife Center: For injured or orphaned wildlife.

    • 205-621-3333

  • State Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Contact your local DNR or Game Warden for lists of licensed local wildlife rehabilitators.

NOTE: Because of overcrowding, space constraints, and reaching maximum capacity repeatedly at different points in the year, some strays on their 7 day stray hold may go into foster homes. If you are looking for a lost pet you believe could have been brought to us as a stray but it is not in the shelter, please contact the foster coordinator at foster@carehumane.org or speak with a manager upon arrival to the shelter. 

Pictures of lost and found pets, including those that are brought to us, are shared on Opelika-Auburn Lost and Found Pets.

Please check their social media to see if your pet has been included as a stray or if the animal you have found has an owner searching for it.

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