Our goal is to return all stray animals to their owners, but to also enforce ordinances that address animals running at large. We understand that mistakes or unforeseen escapes happen so our return to owner policy reflects this.
All animals leaving our facility to be returned to their owner are required to be microchipped. This ensures any future adventures your pet makes they can be returned to you as quickly as possible. For more information on the benefits see Microchips.
Below is what you can expect if you have lost an animal and it has ended up at the shelter and applies to within a 12 month period. Restarting the day after the first offense.
return to owner agreement
First Offense:
Owner picks up within 24 hours and has a microchip $0
Owner picks up within 24 hours and no microchip $10
Starting at 24 hours $25 plus $10 microchip if applicable
Starting at 48 hours $25 plus $10 microchip plus $5 boarding
Second Offense:
Owner picks up within 24 hours $50
Starting at 24 hours $50 plus $5 boarding
Starting at 48 hours $50 plus $10 boarding
Third Offense:
Owner picks up within 24 hours $75
Starting at 24 hours $75 plus $5 boarding
Starting at 48 hours $75 plus $10 boarding
Fourth Offense:
The animal is confiscated, and the owner loses ownership rights
*As required by Indiana State Law, proof of Rabies Vaccine in the form of the veterinarian signed Rabies Certificate is required within 7 days of being returned to the owner; failure to comply will result in a citation
All strays are held for 3 days (72 hours). Beginning at 72 hours the animal is evaluated for adoption, rescue or euthanasia. If the owner wants to claim their animal after the 72 hours and the animal has been placed for adoption, the owner will be required to pay the appropriate above fees and the adoption deposit fee if applicable. Any attempt to be fraudulent about the ownership of the animal to avoid all applicable fees will result in not getting your pet back at all.
Days the shelter is closed are counted towards the hold period. If an owner contacts us during our closed hours, it is assumed that had the shelter been open, the owner would have claimed their animal, and consideration will be made towards the hold period and fees.
If the owner is not interested in claiming their animal, please let us know. We do not charge to surrender an animal and doing so shortens the time the animal stays at our shelter and also increases their chance of adoption with the information that can be provided about that individual animal.
Rushville Animal Shelter 