Found Pets in Our Care

Lost and Stray Hold Times

Animals reported as lost or stray are held for 3 days (without ID or microchip) or 5 days (if found with ID or microchip.) During that time, our staff actively call any available contact information available from licenses, ID, or microchip found on the animal. When a stray hold expires, animals will receive an evaluation and may be made available for adoption.

Redeeming your Found Pet

Our staff will accompany pet owners into our lost/stray pet area for in-person identification. If a pet is identified by the owner, we require additional verification of ownership to help ensure we are safely reuniting a pet with its family. The most common form of verification is microchip registration. If microchip registration is unavailable, additional forms of verification may be provided. 

• County license information registered to the pet
• One or more recent photos (preferably from multiple angles or including unique markings) to help identify the pet
• Vet records of the pet

If the above methods of verification are unavailable, our team can provide additional support to assist with other methods of verification. If you have any questions, contact our team in advance at the information above or in person when reclaiming your pet. Once ownership has been verified, the person reclaiming the pet will need to provide a valid identification (photo ID preferred) and pay any applicable redemption and licensing fees.

Licensing Fees

Our staff is required to issue a license to any unlicensed animal being redeemed at our shelter. Licensing fees apply. Licensing and redemption fees are assessed by municipalities; HSSW staff are unable to reduce or waive fees.

Fees are charged upon redemption according to the location where the animal was found. All fees are set by municipal code to help cover the cost of impounding stray animals. All animals received as lost/stray will incur impoundment and boarding fees. Transportation, medical and licensing fees may also apply.

Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and La Center

Impoundment (in a 12-month period):
1st redemption - $25
2nd redemption - $50
3rd or more redemptions - $100

Boarding Fees:
Charged daily until redemption, including the day the animal arrives
$25/day - dogs, cats, small mammals

Medical Fees:
Charged when an animal requires immediate medical care during the stray holding period
$50 (or actual costs incurred)

Clark County

Impoundment (in a 12-month period):
1st redemption - $40
2nd redemption - $65
3rd or more redemptions - $115

Boarding Fees:
Charged daily until redemption, including the day the animal arrives
$25/day - dogs, cats, small mammals
$50/day - livestock

Transportation Fees:
Per animal, charged when the animal was brought to HSSW by a Clark County Animal Protection and Control Officer
$50/day - dogs, cats, small mammals
$50/day - livestock

City of Camas

Cats - Clark County impoundment fees apply
Dogs - See Below

Impoundment (in a 12 month period):
1st redemption - $40
2nd or more redemptions - $55

Boarding Fees:
Charged daily until redemption
$20/day

Quarantine Boarding Fees:
$10/day
*License fees must be paid via the City of Camas

City of Washougal

Cats - Clark County impoundment fees apply
Dogs - See Below

Impoundment (in a 12 month period):
1st redemption - $25
2nd redemption - $75
3rd or more redemption - $150

Boarding Fees:
Charged daily until redemption
$25/day

Quarantine Boarding Fees:
$10/day
*License fees must be paid via the City of Washougal

Fees are charged upon redemption according to the location where the animal was found. All fees are set by municipal code to help cover the cost of impounding stray animals. All animals received as lost/stray will incur impoundment and boarding fees. Transportation, medical and licensing fees may also apply.

City of Longview

Impoundment:
Redemption fee - $50

Boarding Fees:
Charged daily until redemption, including the day the animal arrives 
$25/day - dogs, cats, small mammals

Additional Redemption Fees:
Bite quarantine pick-up fee - $35
Bite quarantine holding fee - $12
Impoundment of barn animals fee - $500

City of Kelso

Impoundment:
Redemption fee - $300
Redemption fee per litter of puppies or kittens - $100
Redemption fee per small animal (rabbit, bird, etc) - $85

Boarding Fees:
Charged daily until redemption, including the day the animal arrives
$15/day - dog, cat, single litter of puppies or kittens, and any other animal

Medical Fees:
Charged when an animal requires immediate medical care during the stray holding period
Fees based on actual costs incurred by the City for necessary medical care.

Transportation Fees:
If provided at owner or custodian request or for livestock impounded off the property, actual costs incurred; $10 plus $.20 per mile traveled to locate and transport the animal, or actual costs, whichever amount is greater.

City of Castle Rock

Impoundment:
Redemption fee - $15 (any animal)

Boarding Fees:
Charged daily until redemption, including the day the animal arrives
$9/day - all animals

City of Woodland

Impoundment:
Redemption fee - $25

Boarding Fees:
Charged daily until redemption, including the day the animal arrives
$10/day - all animals

Additional Redemption Fees:
Quarantine Fee: $15

Unincorporated Cowlitz County 

We cannot accept stray or found animals from unincorporated Cowlitz County. For assistance, please contact Cowlitz County Sheriff – 360.577.3092, option 7 or 360.762.6800 (for non-emergency animal issues)