Pick Up a Stray Animal

If you have found a stray animal and need for Animal Care & Services to pick it up you can call us at (408) 794-PAWS (7297).  Because our ACS Officers are often busy responding to emergency calls, it may be faster and easier to transport the animal yourself (if it is safe to do so) to the San Jose Animal Care Center.

If you are unable to safely transport the animal, our ACS Officers will pick it up from your residence as soon as they can at no charge.

Thank you for temporarily harboring a stray animal.  Many animals roaming free are frightened and are likely to run into traffic in their confused state.  You can be satisfied knowing you are helping the animal and the community stay safe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stray Animals

Q: When should I call and report a stray animal?
A: If the animal is not acting aggressively or is not in danger or in traffic, you can submit an online report. CALL (408) 794-7297 when

1. There is a stray animal that is acting in an aggressive manner. Please note type of dog, color of dog, if it is wearing a collar or not, if you have seen the same dog in the past running loose and the direction of flight of the dog. If you know the name or address of the owner, please provide it to the Animal Services Dispatcher.
2. You have confined a stray dog and it is acting aggressively and you are unable to transport it to the San Jose Animal Care Center.

Q: What happens after I make a stray animal report?
A: A stray animal report remains in our system for 7 days. An Animal Services Officer will try to locate the dog as time permits in their schedule of daily calls. If we are unable to locate the dog within the 7 days, or are unable to get to the stray roaming dog call within the 7 days, the call drops out of our system. If you see the dog roaming again after the 7 days have lapsed since your initial call, you will need to call again an initate another call for service.