"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms."
~George Eliot
Care for Our Furry Friends
Occasionally the team at Bio-One Columbus will find animals at our work site. These may be stray animals attracted to an abandoned space for shelter or pets accidentally left behind. Recently we found this little one at an empty property with no food or water.
We also experience the aftermath of animal hoarding, but that is not the focus of this newsletter.
What should all of us do if we find a lost or abandoned animal?
- Safety first: Approach the animal cautiously, especially if it seems scared or potentially aggressive. Speak softly and move slowly to avoid frightening it further. If the animal is injured or in a dangerous location, call animal control or the non-emergency police number immediately. You can also consider offering some food and water from a distance.
- Check for Identification: If it's safe to do so, check the pet for a collar and ID tags with contact information.
- Look for a microchip: Take the animal to a local vet clinic, animal shelter, or pet store to be scanned for a microchip. A microchip contains the owner's contact information and significantly increases the chances of reunification.
- Notify the authorities and local shelters: Even if the pet has identification, you should still file a "found pet" report with your local animal shelter, rescue organizations, and animal control. This helps them connect the pet with any lost reports filed by the owner.
- Spread the word: Post flyers with the pet's photo and your contact information in the area where you found it, as well as at local veterinary clinics. Share the information on social media, especially local lost and found pet groups or platforms like Petco Love Lost, which uses facial recognition technology to match lost and found pet listings nationwide. You can also create a "found pet" listing on online resources like Pet FBI or Petfinder.
- Care for the animal (if possible): If you are able to safely care for the animal while you search for its owner, provide it with food, water, and a safe, comfortable place to rest. It's crucial to keep the animal separated from your own pets to avoid any potential conflicts or health risks.
With this little guy, we knew of a cat-friendly home that could take care of him and gave them a call. He was taken that same day to a vet, checked for FIV and FeLV as well as scanned for a microchip, and then to a safe space in their house. We are happy to report that Felix is healthy, safe, and adapting to his new home!
Who Do You Call?
- The Franklin County Dog Shelter. Call 614-525-DOGS (3647) to report a found dog. They will be able to check for a microchip and look up the owner's information based on a license tag if available.
- Columbus Humane at 614-777-7387 (they take both dogs and cats)
- The Cat Welfare Association at 614-268-6096
- Colony Cats at 614-570-0471
- Pets without Parents also takes both dogs and cats, call 614-267-PAWS (7297)
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards. Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
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