All pets should have some form of identification on their collars at all times, or be microchipped, to improve the likelihood of being reunited with their owners if they become lost. Before bringing the pet to the pound, animal control officers will attempt to reach an owner if the pet has identification. Proper identification, along with a rabies tag and city license, will not only prevent or reduce impound fees, but it greatly increases your chances of reuniting with your pet.

Anyone who has lost a pet should contact the local pound or law enforcement as soon as possible to report the pet missing and to see if the pet has shown up at the pound yet. All stray animals are taken to the local pounds to give the owner’s a chance to claim them, however, owners only have 3-5 days before their pet’s fate is at risk. When the animal’s time is up at the local pounds, and if there is no space available at any of the local rescues, the animals are euthanized. This is why it is vital that when you realize your pet is missing, you need to contact the pounds or law enforcement as soon as possible. It is a good idea to continue to check back with the pounds/law enforcement regularly if you don’t locate your pet right away. You can also contact our organization and leave a description of your pet with us. Although we are not the pound, many people do contact us when they find or lose a pet, and when contacted, we can possibly reunite owners with their pets before they reach the pound.

Contact numbers if you’ve lost your pet:

• In Fargo/Cass County: Fargo pound at 701-232-7312
• In Moorhead/Clay County: Moorhead pound at 218-236-9059
• In West Fargo: West Fargo police at 701-433-5500

Found 

If you’ve found an animal, you should contact the animal control officers or local law enforcement to bring the pet to the pound. Bringing the animal to the pound improves the chances of the animal being reunited with its owner.

• In Fargo: Fargo police at 701-235-4493 or drop them off at the Fargo pound (3210 Main Ave.)
• In Moorhead: Moorhead police at 218-299-5111
• In West Fargo: West Fargo police at 701-433-5500
• Cass County: Sheriff at 701-241-5800 or drop them off at the Fargo pound (3210 Main Ave.)
• Clay County: Sheriff at 218-299-5151

**Please note, the West Fargo and Moorhead pounds do not accept drop offs of strays. Contact the local law enforcement for pickup of stray animals.

The FMHS is not the pound and we can not except strays under any circumstances. Once a stray has spent 3-5 days in the pound and is deemed to be an adoptable pet, and space is available at our shelter, then we will rescue the animal and place it up for adoption.  

Owner Surrenders

 Unfortunately, we are unable to take in owner surrenders the majority of the time. We are primarily a pound rescue organization and the pound rescued animals take priority, as their time is very limited at the local pounds. Our shelter is small, with only 9 dog kennels, 17 cat kennels, and a small kitten room to support the many stray animals of Cass and Clay counties, and unfortunately that does leave much, if any, space for the animals whose owners can no longer care for them.

We apologize that we are unable to assist you in re-homing your pet(s), however, we will be happy to give you other options, including information for other rescues. If you are experiencing behavioral issues with your pet, and this is the reason for needing to re-home them, we can refer you to trainers or provide you information on curbing the behavioral problems, when possible. Our hope is always that we can assist you in rectifying the situation/reason you wish to re-home your pet, but when that is not possible, we will do our best to give you other options that are available.