When shelters admit animals that come in as “strays” they are generally required to hold that animal a minimum of 72 hours before they can be legally considered the owner of the pet. If the pet is a purebred and identified with a breeders tattoo the law often states that a shelter must wait even longer, to allow the shelter to contact the breeder if the owner cannot be found.

This law typically effects us only if our pet is lost. To be truthful, it effects the pet more. What it means is that if your pet is lost you need to contact the shelters right away. Not out of fear that your pet could be euthanized or adopted, but for an additional reason most people do not even consider. Your pet might be injured.

The 72 hour law means that, in most places, a veterinarian cannot even treat an injured pet for 72 hours. They can provide only basic care to keep the pet alive, but cannot provide the medical care the pet really needs. A pet who was hit by a car, in a fight with a dog, or cut by an engine fan belt, will have to wait 72 hours before care can be given.

The law is there to protect the owner, the shelter, and the veterinarian. A surgery costs money. If the owner cannot pay for the surgery, or will not pay, this puts either the vet or the shelter on the line. An owner might elect for euthanasia, or they might surrender the pet. The shelter and vet cannot make this decision.

72 Hours is plenty of time for an owner to notice their pet is missing and to report it. Sadly most people neglect to call the shelter right away, thinking they can find the pet on their own. It costs nothing to report missing a lost pet. You can always call back if you do find him, or her.

Ideally the pet will be reported missing even before the pet arrives at the shelter. Thus if somebody calls in to report finding the pet, they can be put in touch with you directly.

Other facts about the 72 hour law

A shelter is considered the legal owner of a pet after 72 hours. This means it can be put for adoption or euthanized after that period of time. Typically, though, they hold the pets for longer, unless it is suffering or unsafe. Most shelters only have the veterinarian come once a week to vet check all the pets prior to putting them for adoption, and to euthanize all those who are not going for adoption or have been there too long. This means most “strays” are kept for more than 72 hours before a decision is made on their fate.

Some shelters never put “stray” animals up for adoption. Bigger shelters often get so many owner relinquished animals turned over to them, and most people prefer to adopt a pet with a known history, so the stray animals are often euthanized. This is not a reason that you shouldn’t turn a stray into the shelter. If it really is a lost pet, its owner should recover it. This is a reason why you should NEVER lie that a pet you own was one you “found”.

Owners who do surrender their own pets are usually allowed to reclaim then prior to the 72 hours but usually have to pay a boarding fee. After that they pet may be put for adoption and the owner, if they want it back, would have to file to adopt it.

The 72 hour rule does not apply world wide, some shelters in some areas might have different laws. It is important to know what the law is in your area, and to always act immediately if your pet goes missing.