You suspect cruelty/neglect...

Are you aware of or suspect neglect, abandonment or cruelty involving an animal? Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries is not qualified to investigate such cases, but Tioga County's humane law enforcement officer and/or police may be able to help. Start by calling your local or state police precinct, who can make contact with the humane officer and Second Chance if they need placement for the animal. Or, report it directly to the Humane Officer Krys Knecht at (484) 241-5650 or via email, website or Facebook.

 

 

You lose an animal…

  • Search your house. Unless you physically saw your cat or dog go running out the door, first search every nook and cranny in your home. If you did see them go outside, search in and under any outbuildings, garages, sheds, basement, porches, roof, under/in your car, bushes, trees, etc. If possible, leave sheds or garages cracked open,, as cats especially will likely seek shelter close to home. 
  • Go door-to-door and ask neighbors. Show them photos of your cat or dog and ask them to search their property and keep a look out in the community. 
  • Post online (include a photo, area/time missing and how to contact you). Put it on your personal social media, as well as any relevant sale or community pages/groups. If you're in Tioga County, post to these lost pet Facebook groups:
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/LostPetsofTC/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/469483709746748/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/5566058213486585/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
  • Call shelters/rescues and veterinarians and local authorities such as police, animal control and the humane officer. In Tioga County:
    • Rescues/shelters:
      • Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries (dog/cat rescue/shelter at 725 Gee Rd., Tioga 16946) - 570-376-3646, secondchanceas@yahoo.com, or message on Facebook
      • Hobos Home (cat rescue/shelter in Millerton)  - hoboshome2020@yahoo.com or message on Facebook
      • Cause4Paws(cat rescue/fostering in Mansfield) - 540-538-0707, cause4paws16933@gmail.com
      • Tioga County Cat Project (cat TNR & cat/dog fostering) - tiogacountycatproject@gmail.com or message on Facebook
    • Animal officials:
      • Dog Warden: Will Yoder, 814-722-6719
      • Humane Officer: Krys Knecht Contact: Facebook, website, email
    • Veterinarians:
      • Grand Canyon Veterinary Hospital, Wellsboro - (570) 724-0700
      • Wellsboro Veterinary Hospital & Reptile & Bird Clinic, Wellsboro - (570) 724-3841
      • Wellsboro Small Animal Hospital - (570) 376-2800 (Middlebury) & (570) 662-7655 (Mansfield)
      • Pleasant Valley Veterinary Care, Elkland - (814) 258-5719
      • Mansfield Veterinary Clinic, Mansfield - (570) 662-3844
      • Northern Tier Veterinary Clinic, Knoxville - (814) 326-4145
    • Police departments: 
      • Pennsylvania State Police - Mansfield, PA - 570-662-2151
      • Elkland Police Department - 814-258-5419
      • Gaines Township Police Department - 814-435-1133
      • Lawrence Twp Police Department - 570-827-0212
      • Lawrence Police Department - 570-827-2000
      • Knoxville Boro Police Department - 814-326-4126
      • Mansfield Borough Police Department - 570-662-2315
      • Osceola Township Police - 814-258-5301
      • Wellsboro Borough Police - 570-724-4400
      • Westfield Borough Police Department - 814-367-2769
  • Report to your microchip company. Most have an option online to report your pet missing, which will then alert anyone who scans the animal for a chip. If you're not sure of your pet's microchip company, ask the veterinarian or rescue that inserted it, or ask the animal's former owner. 
  • Make flyers. These are helpful for handing out to neighbors, posting online or hanging around the neighborhood. Find a template here: https://www.pawboost.com/lost-pet-flyer-template?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=google_mobile_lost_pet_flyer&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6OiBhA2EiwAuUwWZW1C0to99BJsRjNaSR2cFQBEmxzcTeQ4yTpbtwfIPe0oX5CiNfsh7hoC7uoQAvD_BwE
  • Procure a trap and set up feeding stations. If you're getting sightings of your pet, but can't catch them, contact a rescue, dog warden or humane officer to ask if they have a trap available. Set up feeding stations where your pet has been seen, and once you know they're eating there, move food inside the trap. 

You find an animal... 

FOUND DOG

If you find a stray dog, there are steps that need to be taken to ensure that both you and the dog are safe and protected. 

  1. Approach the dog cautiously; do not call to it or rush at it, as that could scare it away. Kneeling down at its level and offering a treat can sometimes help. If you can leash the dog, do so and confine it if possible.
  2. If the animal has a license, call the County Treasurer's Office at 570-724-9213 with the license number for owner identification.  
  3. Contact folks in the neighborhood/call a popular local spot (gas station, post office, etc.) to see if anyone has reported that they have lost their dog.  
  4. If possible, take the animal to the nearest vet clinic (call them first) to have them scan the dog for a microchip. This service is free, but make sure to ask first. 
  5. Call us at 570-376-3646 to report the animal. We can also scan animals for chips, but please call first to make sure someone is at the sanctuary.  
  6. Contact the dog warden, Will Yoder, at 814-722-6719, to report the dog. 
  7. Call local radio stations (WNBT at 570-724-1490; KC101 at 570-662-9000) and describe the dog and the location where it was found. Make sure to leave your phone number.  
  8. Post a photo and info to local lost pet groups on Facebook. The most used here are Lost Pets of Tioga County PA and Lost Pets of Potter & Tioga County, PA.  
  9. Lastly, be patient. This can be a stressful situation for both you and the animal. Provide the animal with water and reassurance if possible. About 90% of the time, the owner is found within a day or two. You've done a really good thing tending to the animal in the meantime.

 

FOUND CAT

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