MADACC has a new tool to help reunite lost pets with their families. Here's how to use it.
There is a new tool from the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission to help reunite lost pets with their families in southeastern Wisconsin.
MADACC rescues stray, unwanted or mistreated animals to provide them temporary shelter at 3839 W. Burnham St. in West Milwaukee.
The new tool enables families and finders to connect without a visit to MADACC’s facilities.
How do you use the tool?
The new feature, which launched March 27, allows a similar experience to a social media post but with more direct reach to families searching for their lost pets.
If a pet goes missing, the family can upload a photo of the pet with a description and specify the area where the pet got lost to the MADACC database at madacc.org/lost-found for free. If someone finds the furry friend, they can contact the family directly through the app or MADACC’s website.
If an animal is found and its photo is not on the site, the finder can post that information as well.
Thus far, there have been a “handful or two of lost animal postings to the website and a few found animal postings,” said Kate Hartlund, MADACC's community engagement coordinator.
Police can utilize this tool as well, Hartlund said, “but they usually bring the animal to us right away since they do not have proper housing for the animals at the stations.”
MADACC is unable to turn away stray animals
Karen Sparapani, executive director of MADACC, said many who find lost pets just post the animal to social media but that doesn’t guarantee the owner will see the post. “Then, we will get an owner looking for an animal daily and it is heartbreaking,” she said.
Hartlund said animal control facilities, including private shelters, are full across the country and a busy summer season is approaching.
“Animal control facilities, like MADACC, are unable to turn away stray animals,” Hartlund said. “Any assistance in reuniting animals with their family is welcome and honestly, the best thing for the animal.”
How long does it take most pets to reunite with owners?
Most owners are reunited with their pets in the first 48 hours, Hartlund said, stressing the importance of posting a photo early and providing information to the database. Finders have priority to adopt an animal if the owner does not come forward.
What role does MADACC play?
The tool does not replace the legal stray hold for animals found in Milwaukee County, according to a news release from MADACC. The animal must be in custody at MADACC for five days and they will be vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and given a microchip.
Each year MADACC helps nearly 11,000 animals, more than any other single facility animal shelter in Wisconsin. For more information call 414-649-8640 or visit madacc.org.
Tips for catching or reporting lost animals
“You can try to get low and call the animal to you, you never want to chase an animal that you see, that typically will only cause them to run,” Hartlund said. “Try to get a clear picture and post it on social media sites with the location that you saw the animal. Call MADACC and report the sighting, we may already have officers out looking for the animal and an updated location always helps.”
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like/follow his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on Twitter @ES_Hanley.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New online MADACC tool helps reunite lost pets with owners
