Found a Stray? Here's What to Do: The Stray Hold

Nandini Swaminathan
Oct 6
3 min read

Finding a lost or stray animal can be an emotional experience. Your first instinct might be to find a new, loving home immediately, but before you do, there’s a crucial and legally required step: the "stray hold" that needs to be completed before The Bond Between can consider taking in a stray animal.*

Why the Stray Hold is Essential?

A stray hold is a legal requirement that gives an animal's owner a reasonable amount of time to find and reclaim their pet. This is not just a formality—it’s a vital process to prevent well-meaning individuals from accidentally rehoming an animal that already has a family.

For The Bond Between to be able to consider taking in a stray animal, a stray hold must be completed. This is a critical legal requirement that protects both the animals and their original owners. The duration of the stray hold varies by state:

In Minnesota, the stray hold is 5 business days.
In Wisconsin, the stray hold is 8 calendar days.

During this time, you must safely contain the animal. If you are unable to complete the stray hold yourself, the best course of action is to contact your local Animal Control.

List of Local Animal Controls

Stray Hold Steps: A Simple Guide

If you are able to keep the animal and complete the stray hold, here are the steps you must follow to give the pet the best chance of being reunited with its family:

Notify Your Local Animal Control Office.
Even if you are completing the hold yourself, you must file a found animal report with your local animal control. This creates an official record that the animal has been found and allows owners searching for their pet to contact them.

List of Local Animal Controls
Have the Animal Scanned for a Microchip.
This is one of the quickest ways to find the pet's owner. Any veterinary office or animal shelter will scan for a microchip at no charge and we scan microchips for free at The Bond between Vet Center in Minnetonka.
Post on Social Media Sites.
Social media is an incredibly effective tool for reuniting pets with their owners. Be sure to post a clear photo and a description of the animal (gender, approximate age, any unique markings) along with the location where it was found.
- Dogs and Cats: Petco's Love Lost
- Cats Only: Lost Cats MN
- Dogs Only: Lost Dogs Minnesota
Check Local Neighborhood Groups.
Many local communities have dedicated social media groups for lost and found pets.
- Nextdoor
- Pet Amber Alert

Disclaimer: Completing a stray hold does not guarantee that The Bond Betwe

en can take in the animal. All animals must still meet our intake requirements and we must have an available foster home. We encourage you to follow these steps to give the animal the best chance of being reunited with its owner before considering surrendering it to a rescue.

Resources for Feral Cats

Feral cats, which are un-socialized and often part of a community colony, require a different approach. They are not typically candidates for adoption. Instead, the most humane method for managing these populations is through Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR).