Due to the risk of misidentification over the phone, and because of the number of animals that come in to Wayside Waifs every day, we require you to come to Wayside in person to look for your lost pet.

The state of Missouri requires all animals to have a current rabies vaccination.  If you do not have a current rabies certificate we are able to vaccinate your pet for a $15 fee during your reclaim appointment. Please be aware we are only able to provide rabies vaccinations Monday – Saturday: 9am-5pm.  All dogs must leave on a leash and collar, and all cats must leave in a secure cat carrier.

Partnering with Local Animal Control Agencies

Wayside Waifs partners with Belton, Grandview, and Riverside Animal Control Agencies in order to keep found pets safe and cared for until their owners can reclaim them. Once an animals is brought to Wayside Waifs, it is placed on a five (5) day stray hold. If the animal is not reclaimed after the five-day stray period, the animal is placed for adoption. Please note there are fees associated with reclaiming an animal, and the fee amounts vary depending on the length of stray hold and the particular Animal Control Agency that brought the animal into Wayside Waifs.

What To Do If You Lost Your Pet

If you have lost your pet, please see our lost pet tips.

What To Do If You Found A Pet

1. Check identification: does the pet have a collar and tag? Some collars have a contact number stitched into it. Some pets have a microchip so we recommend taking the animal to the nearest vet clinic to be scanned for a microchip.

2. Spread the word: snap a photo of the pet, create a found pet flyer (click here to create a flyer) and place them around your surrounding neighborhood, and check the NextDoor app and other neighborhood social media pages to see if someone reported the animal missing. Call vet clinics in your area to see if they know of any missing pets/potential owners.

3. Contact Animal Control: the city in which you found the pet is the animal control office you will need to contact. If it is after hours or during the weekend, try contacting the city’s non-emergency police number.