Lost and Found Pets

Vermilion County Animal Control receives, on average, 125 stray animals a month. It is common for citizens to bring healthy animals who they have found in the community, directly into the shelter before first trying other outlets to get them back home.

Did you know that most lost dogs and cats are found less than a mile from their home?

Cats who are spotted outside may be someone’s indoor/outdoor pet or a community cat that lives in the area. Research from Best Friends shows that cats are over 13 times more likely to be reunited with their owners if left in place rather than taken to a shelter.

You can help decrease the number of stray animals coming into the shelter!

What to do when you find a pet in the community:

Check for information on the pets collar or tag
Walk or drive the pet around the area you found them to see if someone is looking for them
Ask neighbors or mail carrier if they know anything about the animal
Take a photo of the animal and post on social media sites such as the Vermilion County Lost and Found Facebook page, the NextDoor app, and other social media sites.
Check the pet for a microchip at a veterinary clinic, police station, village hall, or an animal shelter. Through a grant Animal Control was awarded, most towns throughout the county have been provided with a microchip scanner to help get pets back home!
File a found pet report with Animal Control at 24 Petconnect and Petco Love Lost
If an owner cannot be located, please call 217-431-2660 prompt 1 during the hours of 830am- 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

What to do when you have lost your pet:

Walk around the area your pet was lost. Most pets are close by.
Check out the Lost Page on Vermilion County Animal Control website which lists the animals currently at the facility. If you see your pet, please come to the shelter at 14775 Catlin Tilton Rd Tilton IL 61833 Monday through Friday 830am- 430pm for a tour of stray animals.
Please bring the following information to reclaim a pet, if applicable:
A government issued photo ID
The ID number from the Animal Control website for the animal that you believe is your pet
Proof of ownership – for example vaccination/veterinary records and pictures.
Current rabies certificate if applicable
Proof of spay/neuter if applicable
Share a photo along with details about your pet on your Facebook, on the Facebook lost and found page for Vermilion County, the NextDoor app, and other social media sites.
File a lost pet report at 24 Petconnect on https://24petconnect.com/ and Petco Love Lost. Make sure to provide your contact information to ensure you can respond quickly to any sightings of your pet.
Put up flyers in the area where your pet was lost.
If your animal is microchipped, make sure to call the microchip company to report the animal missing.
If possible, place a pet bed, blanket, or article of clothing outside, to help your pet find their way back home.
What to do if you find a sick or injured stray animal:
Bring the sick or injured stray animal into the shelter – we are open 830am-430pm Monday through Friday
If you cannot bring the animal to the shelter please call 217-431-2660 prompt 1 during regular business hours
Call 911 for after hours assistance, emergencies only.
See steps above for filing a found animal report at https://24petconnect.com/

What to do when you have found a cat:

If the cat looks healthy, please leave it where it is or put it back where you found it.
Removing a cat from its environment that has no sign of illness or injury puts that cat and every other cat in the shelter at risk, significantly reduces the chances of owner reunification, and redirects resources away from cats that truly need our help.
If the cat is injured or ill, please see above for sick or injured stray animals.
What to do if you have found a litter of kittens:
If you see a litter of kittens, do not remove them immediately. Their mother is likely to be out hunting for food and will leave the kittens for hours at a time.
Leave the area. A kitten’s best chance of survival is with their mother.