When a dog or cat disappears, the first hours matter, and it helps to know exactly who to call. For Wesley Chapel residents, the main official contact is Pasco County Animal Services, the county agency that runs the shelter and handles lost and found pets. This guide lays out which numbers and places to use first, what it may cost to bring a pet home, and where to find more local help.
Start quickly
The county says the best chance to find a missing pet is within the first 48 hours after they go missing. That is the reason to act right away rather than wait to see whether a pet returns on its own. Source: Pasco County Animal Services, lost and found pets.
A practical order of steps:
- Contact the Pet Reunification Coordinator if you think your pet may be at the shelter.
- Visit the shelter in person if you can, so you can look for your pet yourself.
- Use the after-hours line only if the situation is a qualifying emergency.
- Be ready to pay the reclaim fee if your pet is at the shelter.
Call or text the Pet Reunification Coordinator
If you suspect your pet is at the shelter, the county invites owners to call or text the Pet Reunification Coordinator directly at (727) 359-9781. The coordinator is available from 11am-5pm Monday-Friday. Since those hours are limited, a missing-pet report that starts on a weekend or in the evening may need to wait for the next weekday window, which is another reason to move quickly and use the other steps in this guide in the meantime.
When you reach out, have the basics ready: a clear description of your pet, where and when you last saw them, and any identifying details you can share. The county page linked above is the place to confirm what the office asks for.
Know where the shelter is
Pasco County Animal Services is at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O' Lakes, FL 34638. If you think your pet was picked up or brought in, going to the shelter in person lets you check for yourself rather than relying only on a description over the phone. Source: Pasco County Animal Services.
After-hours emergencies
For an animal control officer response to qualifying emergencies, the after-hours line is (727) 847-8102, option 7. It operates only from 5 pm to 8 am. This is not a general lost-pet hotline. It is for situations that qualify as emergencies, so during daytime hours use the coordinator number above instead.
What it costs to reclaim a pet
If your pet is at the shelter, expect an owner reclaim fee. According to the county fee schedule, the fee is:
- $35 for a first offense
- $70 for second and subsequent offenses
The full list is on the Pasco County Animal Services fee schedule. Checking it before you go means you know what to expect.
Pet licensing
Pasco County Animal Services also handles pet licenses. A one-year license for an altered dog costs $15. Other license types and terms are listed on the county pet license page, so check there for the option that matches your pet.
Keep a record of your search
While you wait to hear back from the shelter, it helps to keep a short list of what you have done and when. Note the time you first noticed your pet was gone, who you called, and what you were told. That record makes follow-up calls simpler, especially because the coordinator is reachable only during set weekday hours.
For more neighborhood-level resources on missing pets in the area, see the site's lost pets page.
Who to contact
- Pet Reunification Coordinator: call or text (727) 359-9781, 11am-5pm Monday-Friday
- After-hours animal control emergencies: (727) 847-8102, option 7, from 5 pm to 8 am
- Pasco County Animal Services shelter: 19640 Dogpatch Lane, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638
- More local help: Lost pets in Wesley Chapel
Sources
Compiled from the official sources below.