WAG Rescue receives calls daily about lost and found pets. Although WAG is not an intake shelter and does not take found/stray dogs directly, we want to help make sure that owners of lost pets and finders of stray dogs in our community get connected to resources to help reunite pets and their owners as quickly as possible.
The front line resource for our community for lost and found pets is longtime lost and found community coordinator, G’ma Cathleen, and her Facebook page Wimberley Area Lost & Found Pets. If you have lost or found a pet, call or text G’ma Cathleen directly at 214-507-6422 with details, photos, etc. She will post to her page and share to her network of local lost and found Facebook pages to get the word out quickly and will coordinate communication back to you.
The first and most important thing you can do to help with lost and found pets is to make sure your pet has a collar and ID tag AND is chipped. All dogs in Texas are required by law to have a rabies vaccination. The rabies tag is registered at your vet with your information and makes a good ID tag. Even better, make sure your dog is microchipped. Collars come off and a microchip is the best way to protect your pet and to be reunited as quickly as possible. Keep your pet’s microchip information up-to-date with your current contact information.
Your family vet can microchip your pet. Our community is also fortunate to have several resources for low-cost microchipping:
- PALS of Central Texas is a local nonprofit that frequently hosts very affordable vaccine and microchip clinics across Hays County. They offer microchips with lifetime registration for $15 and income-eligible residents can apply for a voucher. Check their upcoming schedule for walk-up clinics or schedule an appointment here.
- Hays County Health Department also frequently hosts free or heavily subsidized microchip and rabies pop-up clinics across Hays County in collaboration with local groups. Check out the Hays County Health Department or Hays County Local Health Department Facebook page for the next scheduled event.
What To Do If You Have Lost Your Pets
The first 48 hours are critical so start your search immediately! Facebook gets the best and fastest results. Call or text G’ma Cathleen, longtime Wimberley lost and found community coordinator, at 214-507-6422 with details, photos, etc. She will post to her page Wimberley Area Lost & Found Pets and share to her network of lost and found Facebook pages.
Use social media to your advantage. Post and share a picture, description, date and time your pet went missing, contact information, and exact location your pet was lost, including city and nearest cross streets.
Lost Dog
"Tex"
Reward
123-456-7890
Calling out to them is NOT the best method. Lost dogs can be skittish or scared of vehicles and too much noise, they are most likely to head to woods, or somewhere where they can hide. Extend out your search each day the dog is lost. Dogs can travel a great distance when they are lost and afraid. Ask around your neighborhood whether they have seen your dog.
Post a sign in the area the pet was lost. It is very important to do this as soon as possible. Make the letters on the sign big enough to read as someone drives by, easily read 10′ to 20′ away. Add a picture if it looks like the pet now.. Offer REWARD. You don’t have to put how much on the sign, but it makes people read the sign. Drive around – YOUR DOG MAY BE AFRAID AND MAY NOT COME TO YOU.
If you have lost your dog and Hays County Animal Control picks up your dog they will take the dog to the San Marcos Animal Shelter. You can try calling the San Marcos Animal Shelter, 512-805-2650, but they will tell you that you have to come in person to identify your dog.
Call the microchip company if your pet is chipped then report they are lost. This is also important to make sure your information is current. If you don’t know your dog’s microchip information your veterinarian should have this information
Dogs usually are active and moving when it is their regular feeding time, and not active when it is their usual napping time. They are more active when it is cooler in the morning and evening and resting somewhere when it is hot. Dogs will gravitate to where there is water, check the creeks/river. Dogs will gravitate to homes that have dogs.
What To Do If You Have Found A Dog Or Cat
We are grateful to all the kind people that get involved when they find a dog or cat and help them to safety. WAG Rescue recommends using good judgment when helping a stray dog. They are almost always frightened and are possibly injured. Always use caution if you’re unsure of a dog’s temperament. If you have any concerns about the dog and your safety, please contact Hays County Animal Control – 512-393-7896.
Call or text G’ma Cathleen, longtime Wimberley lost and found community coordinator, at 214-507-6422 with details, photos, etc. of the found animal. She will post to her page Wimberley Area Lost & Found Pets and share to her network of lost and found Facebook pages.
Use social media to your advantage. Post and share a picture, description, date and time animal was found, exact location animal was found/seen (including city and nearest cross streets). If you have secured the animal, include your contact information.
