Losing a pet is a traumatic experience! There are many steps you can take to find your pet. Browse the topics to the left for some helpful tips.


Suffolk Animal Control shelters stray animals found in Suffolk. Suffolk Animal Control will contact the owners of pets wearing identification or having a microchip. All uninjured strays will be held for 5 days if there is no identification or 10 days if there is a microchip or a collar (as required by law) before the animal becomes available for adoption or is euthanized. Injured strays will be evaluated and severely injured animals will be taken immediately to a veterinarian. If the veterinarian deems the animal's injuries to be life threatening or to be causing severe suffering to the animal, the animal will be humanely euthanized.


Since verbal descriptions of the same pet can vary person to person, Suffolk Animal Control requires that you come directly to the shelter to see if your lost pet is being held there. To retrieve your pet, you will need to provide:

1. A city license (for dogs)
2. A rabies number
3. Pictured identification for yourself
4. Impoundment fee of $15 per day

Suffolk Animal Control may accept vet records in lieu of a city license or a rabies number only in special circumstances. Special circumstances will be handled on a case by case basis at the presiding officer's discretion.