Helping Lost Pets Find Their Way Home
Losing a pet or finding someone else's can be stressful—but you don't have to navigate it alone. Darlington County Humane Society is committed to helping reunite pets with their families as quickly and safely as possible.
Whether you've lost a beloved companion or found a stray animal, start with the option below that best matches your situation.
Lost or Found a Pet?
Losing a pet or finding someone else's can be stressful—but you don't have to navigate it alone. Darlington County Humane Society is committed to helping reunite pets with their families as quickly and safely as possible.
Whether you've lost a beloved companion or found a stray animal, start with the option below that best matches your situation.
I Lost My Pet
-
STEP 1: Search Your Neighborhood
Many pets stay close to where they were last seen.
Walk your neighborhood instead of driving.
Bring your pet's favorite treats or toy.
Ask neighbors to check garages, sheds, porches, and fenced yards.
Search at different times of the day, especially early morning and evening.
-
STEP 2: Report Your Pet Missing
Complete our Lost Pet Report below so our team can compare your information with incoming animals.
-
STEP 3: Register With Petco Love Lost
Upload your pet's information and photo to Petco Love Lost, a free national lost-and-found database that uses facial recognition technology to help reunite pets with their families.
-
STEP 4: Visit DCHS in Person
Photos don't always tell the whole story.
Animals may arrive dirty, injured, frightened, shaved, or with changes in appearance. We strongly encourage owners to visit the shelter regularly while searching for a lost pet.
-
STEP 5: Keep Checking
New animals arrive every day.
Continue checking our available animals and contact us if you believe you've found your pet.
I Found A Pet
-
STEP 1: Check for Identification
If it is safe to do so, look for:
Collar tags
Rabies tag
Identification tag
Many pets are returned home immediately because someone made one phone call.
-
STEP 2: Have the Pet Scanned for a Microchip
Most veterinary clinics, shelters, and pet stores will scan for a microchip at no charge.
A registered microchip is often the fastest way to reunite a pet with its owner.
-
STEP 3: Can You Safely Keep the Pet Temporarily?
Many lost pets are reunited more quickly when they remain in the neighborhood where they were found.
If you are able to safely care for the animal for a short time, let us know through our Found Pet Report so we can help connect you with the owner.
-
STEP 4: Submit a Found Pet Report
Provide photos and details about where and when the pet was found by clicking on the button below.
-
STEP 5: Need Additional Help?
If you're unable to safely care for the animal or need further assistance, contact our team for guidance on the next steps.
DCHS is proud to partner with Petco Love Lost to report, search, and reunite pets quickly.
Reclaiming an Animal
If your pet is at DCHS, we're excited to help bring them home. Animals brought in as strays without identification are kept for a minimum of four business days for owner redemption (Darlington County Code Section 6-16(b)). Exceptions are animals that are suffering or are dangerous to humans or other animals, which may be euthanized before the time period is up. After four business days, the animals become the property of the Darlington County Humane Society and are no-longer “reclaim-able.” Anyone wishing to reclaim their animals after this time period must follow our normal adoption process. Please bring:
A government-issued photo ID
Proof of ownership (photos, veterinary records, adoption paperwork, or microchip registration)
Current rabies vaccination documentation, if available
Applicable reclaim (Darlington County, SC, Code of Ordinances § 2.V.7.2-412), boarding, vaccination, licensing, or impound fees may apply. Our staff will explain any required paperwork before your pet is released.
$25 Reclaim Fee
$25 Microchip Fee (S.C. Code 1976, § 47-3-55)
$15 Rabies Vaccine Fee (S.C. Code 1976, § 47-3-40)
$10 Per Night Boarding Fee
Who Should I Contact?
Contact DCHS if:
You lost your pet
You found a friendly stray
You want to report a found or lost animal
You believe your pet may be at our shelter
Contact Animal Control if:
An animal has bitten someone
An animal is aggressive or poses an immediate public safety risk
You need to report animal cruelty or neglect
There is an injured animal creating a traffic hazard
Prevent Future Heartbreak
One of the best ways to ensure your pet returns home is to prepare before they ever become lost.
We recommend:
Microchipping every pet and keeping your registration information current
Using a collar with an ID tag at all times
Keeping recent photos of your pet
Checking fences, gates, and leashes regularly
Ensuring your pet's rabies tag and license are current
A few simple precautions today can make all the difference tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
In accordance with South Carolina law, stray animals are held for a minimum of five (5) business days, not including the day they arrive at the shelter, to allow owners the opportunity to reclaim them.
-
Yes, with proper authorization and proof of ownership.
-
Absolutely. Photos, veterinary records, adoption paperwork, and other documentation can help establish ownership.
-
Complete a Lost Pet Report, register with Petco Love Lost, and contact us during the next business day.
-
DCHS does not provide animal pickup services. Please contact the appropriate local Animal Control agency if an animal needs to be collected.
-
In many cases, yes. Keeping a found pet safely in the area where it was found can increase the chances of a successful reunion. Contact DCHS so we can help coordinate efforts and document the found pet.
-
If an owner does not reclaim the pet during the legal stray hold, the animal will be evaluated for adoption, transfer to a rescue partner, foster care, or another appropriate outcome.
-
Not always. Many lost pets are found close to home, and keeping the pet safe while actively searching for the owner often results in the quickest reunion. Check for identification, have the pet scanned for a microchip at a veterinary clinic or DCHS, post the pet with Petco Love Lost and local lost-and-found groups, and contact DCHS so we can document the found pet and assist with reunification. If you are unable to safely care for the pet, contact us to discuss the next steps.
Still need help? Our team understands how emotional it can be when a pet goes missing. If you have questions or need assistance, we're here to help.