I Found a Stray Dog

By law, all dogs must be under the direct control of their owners (on leash) or safely contained on their own property.  Any dog that is off-leash and off-property without its owner is considered a stray.

Friendly Dogs

Safely contain or leash the dog and check for identification and scanned for a microchip.  It is most likely that the dog’s home is nearby, so it’s recommended to make an attempt to find its owner before contacting the shelter.  Stray dogs found in the county areas of Madera County can be dropped off with appointment approval only during business hours:  Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm.  If you are unable to bring the animal in an Animal Services Officer can be requested to pick up.  Please be aware that response time for Officer pick-ups can fluctuate based on call volume and priority. 

Please fill out our Found Animal Report and emailed back to Madera County Animal Services with a picture of the found animal.

Madera County Animal Services is a County Department authorized for jurisdiction areas in the county of Madera only.  The cities of Madera and Chowchilla have their own animal control officers, and city of Chowchilla has its own holding facility.  Likewise, dogs found outside of Madera County should be reported to the appropriate animal control agency.

I Found a Stray Cat

There are no leash laws for cats – they are considered “free-roaming agents” rather than strays.  As such, loose cats should not be called in as strays or brought to the shelter unless the animals are sick or injured and in need of immediate medical care.

For more information regarding helping cats please visit our website "Stray Cats and Kittens"

Healthy, Friendly Cats

 It is not unusual for pet cats to explore the area around their home. Friendly kitties are most likely a neighbor’s pet and should be left alone as long as they are safe.  If you find a healthy, friendly cat, you can contact our department for an appointment to bring it in to scan for a microchip and place a found pet report with MCAS, but we will ask that the cat be returned where it was found afterwards.

Healthy, Friendly Kittens 

While the shelter cannot take in litters of kittens, we can assist with placement if finders are able to foster kittens until they are ready adoption.  If you find a litter of kittens, contact our office at (559) 675-7891 and ask about our “Foster-Finder” program. 

Sick or Injured Cats & Kittens

 If you find a cat/kitten that is injured or ill within our county jurisdiction, please contact us immediately for pick-up or (if safe) during business hours bring the injured pet to the shelter as quickly as possible. 

Feral Cats & Kittens

 The shelter does not take in feral cats or kittens.  Instead, our volunteer group "Friends of Madera Animal Services" offer assistance with T-N-R (Trap-Neuter/Spay-Return).  Feral cat vouchers can be requested through FMAS at (559) 363-5106 or go to FMAS.info.  Fixed cats must be returned safely to their home territory once spayed/neutered. 

My Neighbor's Dogs are being a Nuisance

Excessive Barking

 Noise complaints should be reported to our department either by contacting us during normal business hours Monday-Friday 8:00 am -5:00 pm or by going online to MadCoServices.

Dogs Not Being Contained

 If a neighbor’s dogs are frequently found unattended outside of their yard, please contact our department at (559) 675-7891 during regular business hours.  You may be asked to document the incident by taking photos of the pets while they are at large—photographic evidence can be helpful to our animal services officers during an investigation, as many pets have returned to their yards by the time officers arrive. 

Dogs Injuring Other Pets or Livestock

 To report any dangerous behavior or damage to property caused by a neighbor’s dogs, please contact our department during regular business hours or the sheriff’s dispatch after hours.  Injuries caused by other animals to people must be reported to MCAS immediately or the sheriff's department dispatch after hours; biting animals that have broken skin are required to serve a quarantine hold.

My Pet is Missing

If your dog or cat goes missing from your home, please check the local shelters immediately.

• Please visit our shelter website at Maderacounty.com/government/animalservices frequently until the pet is found. 
• Visit our Madera Animal Shelter Lost and Found page on Facebook to see if anyone has reported finding your pet.
• If the pet has a microchip, contact the microchip company to verify your contact information is current and to report the pet as lost. 
• Post lost animal announcements in your neighborhood and on social media— Facebook and Craigslist check out our "Guidelines to help find your lost Pet" under our forms and documents section. 
• Please fill out our "Lost Animal Report" and emailed it back to Madera County Animal Services with a picture of the lost animal. 

Dogs and cats have a much higher chance of being returned home if they are wearing ID tags and if they are microchipped.  Madera County Animal Services offers affordable microchips during business hours just call for an appointment.  Current dog license tags can also be used to help reunite dogs and their owners.  Animal licenses are required for all dogs in Madera County (cats are optional) and can be purchased online at Maderacounty.Docupet.com.

I Was Bitten by an Animal

Bites by any animal to a person should be reported during regular business hours to Madera County Animal Services; staff will ask for information to complete a bite report. 

• If the biting animal is still at large, please let our department know at (559) 675-7891 during regular business hours. 
• If an officer’s assistance is needed after hours, please call Madera County Sheriff's office at (559) 675-7769. 
• If you are injured to the point of needing medical assistance, please provide your medical provider with the events of the bite and information regarding the biting animal.