Frequently Asked Questions

•    First, don’t panic! The best thing you can do to help your pet from becoming lost is with pet identification. You can do this by having a microchip or even as simple as a collar and a tag. This is just as important for indoor cats as it is for outdoor animals. Remember, with microchips you MUST complete the chip registration that comes with your animal and chip. This information is vital for reuniting you with your pet. 

•    Next, network with your neighbors. Lost animals usually do not stray too far from home.

•    Use social media. There are several local lost and found groups that post about lost animals in our community. The platforms include Facebook and Nextdoor.com.

•    Make sure to contact the Jefferson City Animal Shelter as soon as you know the pet is lost. The shelter can take a lost report over the phone. It is a great idea to drop off a picture of your lost pet at the shelter.

•    First, it’s important to not assume the animal has been abandoned. Just because an animal may be fearful or skinny, doesn’t necessarily mean it has been dumped. We are learning that pets are more likely to be reunited with their owners if they remain in where they are. Most animals who look to be stray have simply wandered too far. Studies show those pets who have been reunited are found less than .5 miles from home.

•    Check for a collar. If the animal has a rabies tag, call the vet associated with that tag. If the vet is closed, call the afterhours number or wait for the vet to open.

•    If the animal does not have a collar and tag, start by checking with your neighbors, social media or Nextdoor.com. Again, chances are good that the animal lives near by and someone is looking for him or her.

•    If no luck finding the owner, contact the Jefferson City Animal Shelter to file a found report.  If you cannot hold on to the pet, please call the animal shelter before dropping off the pet. The Jefferson City Animal Shelter opens at Noon Monday through Friday.

•    Talk to your neighbor. They may not be aware that their dog’s barking is a problem. Dogs bark for many reasons. At times their needs aren’t being met, maybe they are alerting to new faces or cars in the area, or they excited about other animals in the area. What neighborly action can you do to help?

•    If the barking becomes excessive, a peace disturbance may be filed against the owner of such an animal if you, as the complainant, are willing to appear and testify in court as a victim.  As with any noise complaint, barking dog complaints must be handled by the Cole County Sheriff’s Department deputies. If the complaint is unwilling to appear in court, we are unable to pursue.

•    There is not a leash law that covers the entire county. Urban Service Areas, such as Westview Heights, and county municipalities may be subject to leash laws. Please review the county or specific municipality ordinances for more information.

•    Yes. Dog, cats and ferrets are required to maintain current rabies vaccinations.

•    Animal neglect occurs when an animal's owner fails to provide adequate care. 

•    Animal abandonment occurs when an animal is knowingly left in a place without provisions for its care.

How do I report an animal abuse or neglect? 

•    All bites should be reported. The victim and the animal's owner should immediately report any animal bite or scratch to the Cole County Animal Control Officer by calling (573) 634-9160. If it is known that the animal is not current on rabies vaccinations, the bite should be reported by the victim to the Cole County Health Department by calling (573) 636-2181. Please do not rely on hospital staff to relay this information. Too much information is better than not enough.

•    The Cole County Animal Control Officer does not remove wild animals such as squirrels, raccoons or opossums from underneath porches, on rooftops, inside attics or unfinished basements. To locate a company that specializes in this, look up pest control services in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet.

•    If it is just one bat, try to confine it to one room of the house and call Cole County Animal Control at (573) 634-9160.

•    Cole County Animal Control does not have jurisdiction over wild animals in their natural habitat. If the animal is outdoors, it is considered to be in its natural habitat. If you or your pet has had contact with a high-risk wild animal (raccoon, fox, skunk, bat, or coyote) please contact the Missouri Department of Conservation.

•    Calls are processed in the order received with priority given to calls that meet specific emergency criteria, such as dog bites. Emergency calls are handled first.

•    Emergency calls after hours consist of animal bites, injured stray animals, loose livestock, or any call where the well-being of a citizen, or an animal, is at high risk.

•    Please call 9-1-1.