If you found the pet in the cities of san Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, or Saratoga, you can surrender the animal to the San José Animal Care Center at no charge.  We will make them available for immediate viewing. If you are unable to transport the animal or feel that to do so may endanger your safety you can call us to pick-up the animal from you.

Instead of dropping off the animal at the shelter, you can elect to house the animal at your home while the animal is waiting to be reunited with its owner. If you opt to shelter the animal in your home, please do the following:

• Have the animal listed in our "lost animal" database with your contact information so the owners can contact you directly. To do this, send an email to animalcarecenter@sanjoseca.gov with the following:
  
  
  1. A photo of the animal (jpg or gif file under 1MB, please). If you are unable to email a photo, you can bring the animal to the shelter and we will take a photo for you.
  2. Description of animal, including sex, breed, color, and any distinguishing characteristics
  3. Description of any identification found with animal including tags, collars, leashes, etc.
  4. Date and location (including nearest cross streets) where animal was found
  5. Your name and preferred contact phone number. We will only publish the phone number. We do NOT recommend you arrange to meet people at your home. You are welcome to meet at the San Jose Animal Care Center.

• If the animal is wearing a Rabies or license tag, call the phone number on the tag to identify the owners.
• Bring the animal to the Animal Care Center or your nearest veterinarian to be scanned for a microchip.
• Place a "Pet Found" advertisement in the newspaper or online.
• Post flyers around your neighborhood and/or in the area you found the animal.
• Look under the "Lost Pet" ads and see if there are any matches.
• Come to the Animal Care Center and fill out a "Found Pet" report or you may download the form now and fax it to 408-229-2323.

Found listings may take up to 3 business days to post. For immediate posting, come into the surrender desk at the Animal Care Center from 7am - 9pm to complete your listing. Bring the animal with you so we may take a digital photo. You will be able to take the animal home with you after the listing is processed.

After 30 days, you must license the animal yourself to continue to house it. Please note that even in this case, if the original owner resurfaces at any time and wishes to reclaim the animal, they may legally do so by reimbursing all costs incurred during the time you housed the animal.