Stray Animal Procedures in Allen County, Indiana

Last Updated: August 2026

If you find a stray dog or cat in Allen County, what you should do depends on where the animal was found and whether it can be safely approached. Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control handles stray animals within Fort Wayne, while the Allen County Sheriff’s Field Service Officers handle animal complaints outside the city.

Quick Answer

Inside Fort Wayne:
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244

Outside Fort Wayne:
Allen County Animal Complaints
Phone: 260-449-7491

For urgent after-hours animal problems, call the Sheriff’s non-emergency line at 260-449-3000.

View Allen County Animal Control

Found a Stray Dog or Cat?

If the animal appears friendly and you can safely approach it:

  • Check for an ID tag.

  • Ask nearby neighbors if they recognize the animal.

  • Have the pet scanned for a microchip.

  • Report the animal as found.

  • Take a clear photo.

  • Write down exactly where and when you found it.

Report a Found Pet

Don’t put yourself at risk trying to capture an animal that’s frightened, aggressive or injured.

Stray Animals in Fort Wayne

For a stray animal within Fort Wayne city limits, contact:

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244

Visit Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control

Animal Care & Control handles:

  • Loose dogs

  • Stray animals

  • Injured stray animals

  • Aggressive animals

  • Lost and found pets

  • Animal bites

  • Other animal-control complaints

Stray Animals Outside Fort Wayne

Outside Fort Wayne, contact the Allen County Sheriff’s Field Service Officers for domestic-animal complaints.

Animal Complaints: 260-449-7491
Sheriff Non-Emergency: 260-449-3000

View Allen County Sheriff’s Animal Control Information

Field Service Officers handle stray animals, animal bites, cruelty and neglect complaints and other domestic-animal issues throughout the county outside Fort Wayne.

Can I Bring a Stray to the Shelter?

If you’ve safely contained a stray animal, contact Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control before bringing it to the shelter.

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244

Call first to confirm current intake procedures and hours.

Found Pet Information

Have the Pet Scanned for a Microchip

A stray animal may have an owner even if it isn’t wearing a collar.

A microchip scan can sometimes identify the owner quickly.

You can try:

  • Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control

  • Humane Fort Wayne

  • A local veterinary clinic

Pet Microchipping in Allen County

If a chip is found, the registry may be able to contact the registered owner.

Can I Keep the Animal While Looking for the Owner?

If you’re able to safely keep a found pet temporarily, still report it as found.

The owner may already be contacting shelters and animal-control agencies looking for the animal.

Keep the stray separated from your own pets until you know more about its:

  • Health

  • Vaccination status

  • Temperament

  • Parasite exposure

Don’t assume that a friendly stray has been abandoned. Many stray animals are simply lost pets.

Don’t Immediately Rehome a Found Pet

Finding an animal doesn’t automatically make you its owner.

Give the original owner a reasonable opportunity to locate and reclaim the pet and follow local animal-control procedures.

Report the animal as found before attempting to give it away or find it a permanent home.

Aggressive Stray Animals

Don’t attempt to capture an aggressive dog or other animal yourself.

Instead:

  • Keep children and pets inside.

  • Stay a safe distance away.

  • Don’t corner the animal.

  • Note its location and direction of travel.

  • Call animal control.

Fort Wayne: 260-427-1244
Allen County Animal Complaints: 260-449-7491
After Hours: 260-449-3000

Tell the dispatcher if the animal is actively threatening or attacking people or other animals.

Injured Stray Animals

An injured animal may bite or scratch because it’s frightened or in pain.

Don’t attempt to pick up a badly injured animal unless you can do so safely.

Contact animal control and provide:

  • Exact location

  • Description of the animal

  • Type of injury if visible

  • Whether the animal can walk

  • Whether it’s in or near traffic

  • Whether it is acting aggressively

For an immediate threat to human safety, call 911.

What About Stray Cats?

A cat outdoors isn’t necessarily lost.

Some outdoor cats are community cats that live outdoors and may have caregivers.

If the cat appears healthy and comfortable outdoors, check whether it has an ear tip—a small portion of one ear that has been surgically removed. This commonly indicates the cat has participated in a Trap-Neuter-Return program.

Humane Fort Wayne provides community-cat resources for Fort Wayne and Allen County.

View Humane Fort Wayne Community Cat Programs

Found Kittens?

Don’t automatically remove very young kittens if they appear healthy and are in a safe location.

Their mother may be nearby looking for food and could return.

If the kittens are:

  • Injured

  • Sick

  • Cold

  • In immediate danger

  • Clearly abandoned

contact a local animal organization for guidance.

Humane Fort Wayne: 260-744-0454
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control: 260-427-1244

Lost Your Own Pet?

If you’re looking for your own missing dog or cat, report it to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control and check lost-and-found resources frequently.

Lost & Found Pets in Allen County

Don’t assume someone will automatically contact you. Keep checking shelter information, neighborhood groups and local veterinary offices.

Before You Call

Be ready to provide:

  • Exact location of the animal

  • Dog, cat or other animal

  • Color and approximate size

  • Collar or tags

  • Whether the animal is contained

  • Whether it appears injured

  • Whether it is aggressive

  • Direction it was traveling

A photo can also be helpful if you can safely take one.

Local Tip

Don’t assume every stray pet has been abandoned. Many are someone’s lost dog or cat.

Check for identification, have the animal scanned for a microchip and report it as found before trying to rehome it.

And remember the local distinction: Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control handles Fort Wayne, while the Allen County Sheriff’s Field Service Officers handle domestic-animal complaints outside the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I call about a stray dog in Allen County?

Inside Fort Wayne, call 260-427-1244. Outside Fort Wayne, call the Allen County Animal Complaint line at 260-449-7491.

Can I take a stray pet to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control?

Contact Animal Care & Control at 260-427-1244 before bringing the animal in to confirm current intake procedures and hours.

What should I do if the stray is aggressive?

Don’t approach or attempt to capture it. Contact animal control and tell them the animal is behaving aggressively.

Where can I get a stray pet scanned for a microchip?

Try Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, Humane Fort Wayne or a local veterinarian.

What should I do if I find a stray cat?

First determine whether the cat actually appears lost or may be a community cat. Check for identification and an ear tip, and contact local animal organizations if the cat is injured or needs assistance.

Related Pages

Official Resources

Summary

If you find a stray animal in Allen County, check for identification, have the pet scanned for a microchip and report it as found. Inside Fort Wayne, call Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control at 260-427-1244. Outside Fort Wayne, contact the Allen County Animal Complaint line at 260-449-7491. Never put yourself at risk trying to capture an aggressive or badly injured animal.