To help the T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter make the best use of its kennel space and resources, we appreciate all help from the public to reunite lost pets with their owners prior to bringing them into the shelter. The most effective tool is to post a photo of the pet and where it was found on the Manhattan or Junction City/Wamego lost pet social media pages. You also can post lost or found pets on Pawboost.com, 24petconnect.com, Craigslist, or Nextdoor.

If you have already secured a stray animal, you can have that pet scanned for a microchip at a local veterinary office, at the Animal Shelter, or by contacting an animal control officer.

• A microchip is the only permanent identification form that can reunite you with your pet. Unlike collars and ID tags, a microchip will last for the life of your pet. In addition, a microchip does not share personal information with anyone who finds your pet. Microchips can be purchased for your pet at the Animal Shelter by appointment Monday through Saturday or from your veterinarian.
• Microchipped stray dogs are returned to their owners at more than double the overall rate for all stray dogs (both microchipped and not microchipped). For stray cats, the difference in return rates is even more dramatic. (Learn more here.)

The Animal Shelter will accept dogs and cats brought to the facility, pursuant to ordinances of the City of Manhattan or pursuant to agreements the City has entered into with other governmental agencies.

We recommend that you call prior to bringing an animal to the shelter to confirm that the animal may be accepted. Some jurisdictions have their own animal control and sheltering services.

Open and honest details about when and where you found the animal are crucial for helping us to reunite the animal with its owner. If you need to rehome an animal, WE CAN HELP. Please see our information page on Owner Surrenders here.