Reporting Your Lost Pet to HAWS
When a stray animal arrives at HAWS, our goal is to happily reunite owner and pet! Receiving a lost pet report from the owner missing their pet greatly helps us in this process.
HAWS contracts with most Waukesha County municipalities as the intake and holding facility for lost pets. Per Wisconsin State Law, stray animals are held for 4 days before becoming the property of the holding facility.
Animal-at-large fees, licensing, boarding, vaccination records, and the like may be due before your pet can be reclaimed. Animals can be reclaimed during our regular business hours only. Please call us at 262-542-8851 ext. 0 and our Office staff can guide you through the reclaim process with information specific to your municipality. HAWS is open 7 days a week and our on call team is available when the shelter is closed.
To reclaim a dog, you will need:
- Proof of ownership (Adoption or purchase records, dog license, microchip registration info, etc.)
- Proof of a non-expired rabies vaccination (or proof of a prepaid rabies vaccination receipt
- Proof of a dog license for the current calendar year from the municipality you live in. If you do not have one or your dog license is expired one may be able to be sold to you at HAWS at the time of reclaim.
- Properly fitting leash and a collar/harness.
- Valid Photo ID (must be 18 years or older).
- Acceptable payment type (Cash or Credit/Debit) for fees if applicable. Some municipalities charge additional fees for animals being at large that apply immediately in addition to potential fees from HAWS.
- Required documents can be sent to [email protected] or faxed to 262-542-8853.
To reclaim a cat, you will need:
- Proof of ownership (Adoption/purchase records, cat license, microchip registration info, etc.)
- Valid Photo ID (must be 18 years or older).
- A pet carrier.
- Acceptable payment type (Cash or Credit/Debit) for fees if applicable.
- Select municipalities only (Please, call our Office or check with your municipality):
- Proof of a current rabies vaccination (or proof of a prepaid rabies vaccination receipt)
- Proof of a cat license for the current calendar year from the municipality you live in. If you do not have one or your cat license is expired one may be able to be sold to you at HAWS at the time of reclaim.
- Some municipalities charge additional fees for animals being at large that apply immediately in addition to potential fees from HAWS.
- Required documents can be sent to [email protected] or faxed to 262-542-8853.
Click this link for more information on Licensing your Dog or Cat in Waukesha County: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/dogcatlicense/