Dog servicesin Stafford, TX

In Stafford, TX, a lost or found dog starts with a call to the city's Animal Control team, part of the Code Compliance Department, at 281-261-3977. Stafford does not run its own shelter. The city says animals its officers find are handled through a partnership with the Houston Humane Society. For other non-emergency help, Stafford Police answers at 281-261-3950, and a life-threatening emergency goes to 911.

It also helps to check with Fort Bend County Animal Services at 1210 Blume Road in Rosenberg, which publishes lost-pet and reclaim resources. The county says it can keep unclaimed dogs with no identification for three business days, so a tag or microchip on your dog buys time.

Keep your dog's rabies certificate where you can find it. Texas requires the vaccine by four months of age, and the Texas Department of State Health Services says a signed certificate from the veterinarian, not the tag, is the proof of vaccination.