Lost, Stray or Unwanted Animals

Lost or Stray Animals

If you lose your pet or capture a stray, contact the shelter immediately or complete our Lost Animal Form. We have helped many families in Greene County reunite with their pets. The best way to protect your own pet is with a personalized ID tag on their collar, engraved with your name and phone number. Personalized dog tags can be found at most veterinarians, pet stores, or ordered easily online.

If you see a stray dog repeatedly in the same area but cannot safely contain it, please contact the county dog warden.

• Greene & Washington County: Dog Warden Morrison – 412-973-0089
• Fayette County: Dog Warden Collings – 412-973-0215
• Allegheny County: Dog Warden Stoehr – 412-418-2163

Dog wardens are state employees responsible for capturing stray or roaming dogs, responding to dog bites or attacks, investigating livestock losses caused by dogs or coyotes, and ensuring proper dog licensing. They are not employees of the Humane Society.

The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement does not oversee or have jurisdiction over animal cruelty. Pennsylvania dog wardens receive humane officer training, which equips them to recognize potential cruelty in kennels and other situations. If a warden suspects animal cruelty, they will refer the case to a Humane Society police officer or a local police officer for official investigation.

Stray Dog Return to Owner Policy

Purpose: This policy is to outline the procedures for returning a dog to its owner after it was placed as a stray at the Humane Society of Greene County.

Procedure: The Greene County Humane Society accepts stray dogs who are brought to its facility by the Humane Officer, local law enforcement personnel, or by individuals. The Greene County Humane Society does not pick up stray animals.

Personnel at the Greene County Humane Society make every effort to locate the owner – checking the animal for microchips, license tags, or other identifying information. It may also utilize social media to try to alert the owner that the dog is at our facility.

Once an individual has presented proof of ownership of a stray, the owner will be charged a $35/day boarding fee. Please note that because the Greene County Humane Society is not open 24 hours/day or 7 days/week, it may take some time before the animal can be reunited with its owner. Further, veterinary or other fees may also be incurred as part of our efforts to ensure that the stray will not cause illness to the other animals in our facility.

If a stray is placed in our facility and is unlicensed, not microchipped, and an owner cannot be located, the animal becomes the property of the Greene County Humane Society after 48 hours, and could be placed up for adoption if it meets all of the requirements for the adoption process.