Here's what to do if you find a stray animal:
- Be cautious about approaching any stray animal.
- If it is a wild animal, leave it alone for at least 24 hours before intervening. Animals that appear injured or abandoned are often only exhibiting defense mechanisms. Check out our wildlife page for more information.
- If it is a domesticated animal, check for any license tag or other identification.
- If the animal is safe to transport, you may bring it to the shelter during operating hours. DO NOT drop off animals at the front door. It is not safe for the animal.
- If it is a wild animal and definitely injured, or it is a domesticated animal and you are not comfortable transporting it yourself, confine the animal. Confining can include putting the animal in your garage, under an inverted laundry basket (if it is very small or injured and will not escape) or in a live trap.
Once the animal is confined, call Dane County dispatch at 255-2345. They will dispatch an animal control officer (in the City of Madison) or a humane officer (outside the city limits) to pick up the animal. They can only come to pick up the animal if it is confined.
If you have questions about stray animals or any other animal-related questions, the first person to call is your local police or sheriff's department to get information on who handles the animal control services in your jurisdiction. Each township, village, county and city has its own reporting structure and methods of enforcement.
