FAQs

Unfortunately, the state does not allow us to take in stray animals. It is against the rules of our state rescue license.

If you found a stray dog or cat: 

1. Please take the dog or cat to any vet clinic or Wichita Animal Services to have it scanned for a microchip. There are chip scanners available 24/7 in front of Wichita Animal Services or the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital.
2. Post the pet on area Pet Lost & Found Facebook pages, check Petco Love Lost (Report and Search Lost and Found Pets | Petco Love Lost) and post on Nextdoor.
3. If you want to keep the cat or dog, you are legally required to first hold the pet for 30 days and actively try to locate the owner. Please keep in mind that not everyone utilizes social media. You may not rehome the dog or cat or surrender it to a rescue until the 30 days have passed. Please note that if the stray animal you found is sick/injured and you choose to hold it for 30 days, you are considered to be in “care and custody” of the pet and must legally obtain veterinary care.
4. It is our position that stray dogs should go to Animal Control to give their owners a chance to reclaim them. Animal Control is where all owners are directed to look for a missing pet.  If an owner does not reclaim them within three days, they will be evaluated for adoption at the Kansas Humane Society. If they are deemed an adoption candidate, they will transfer to their facility. If not, KHS will begin reaching out to rescue groups to see if they can help. You also have the ability to put an adoption hold on the animal immediately when you drop them off. Just ask the staff there for details.
5. If you have found or trapped a cat with a notched left ear AND the cat is in good condition, leave it where it’s at. A notched left ear or “ear tip” signifies that that cat is likely part of a community cat colony and has a caretaker. If the cat is sick/injured or very underweight, please take the cat to Wichita Animal Services during business hours or to the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital if afterhours. You will not be charged.

**There is a big difference between a feral cat and a stray or lost cat. Feral cats are undomesticated and not friendly or handleable. They most often must be trapped. Stray cats are friendly and may need to be taken to the animal shelter to find their owners.

There is a chaining ordinance within the city of Wichita.  Dogs may only be on a chain for one hour at a time, with a three hour break up to a total of four hours a day. If you think someone s neglecting their pet and you are not comfortable approaching them, we can help.  See our welfare page for more information.

We work hard to prevent that, but if challenges arise, we provide trainers, daycare options, and veterinary support. If it truly isn’t working, we will move the animal as quickly as possible. View our resources page for more information.

No, WAAL does not trap or rehome feral cats.  Please contact Friends of Felines or Alley Cat Allies for more information on feral cats.

No, we do not come pick up animals. Please call your local animal control and request an officer come pick up the animal.

Please click here for information on rehoming options.

Unfortunately, we struggle to find enough foster homes and do not have the resources to provide temporary housing. There are several great boarding facilities we could recommend, or if you are a victim of domestic violence and need help with your animal while you find safe housing, please contact Wichita Animal Services at 316-350-3360, and inquire about their free respite care.

Please see our info regarding ALPHA clinics.  They are low cost mobile vet clinics

Yes, we do! We are happy to provide food as our resources allow.  See our Pet Food Bank page for more info.

Check our real-time listings of available animals here.  If you have something particular in mind with breed or gender, fill out a Pet Alert request to be notified immediately if we get that kind of pet into care.

Wonderful! We desperately need people like you. Visit our volunteer page for more information.

Our storage space is very limited and because of this we can only accept new or very gently used items. Please contact us and let us know what it is and we’ll see if we can put it to good use! You can also find more information on donating here.

• If you’d like to make a one-time donation with your credit/debit card, or bank account, you can do that here.
• If you would like to help us save even more lives and set up a recurring monthly donation, you can find that here.
• You can also mail donations to us at WAAL Rescue, PO Box 21401, Wichita, KS 67208.

• Gift cards to pet stores are fantastic! These are easy to store and lets us buy things as we need them without the risk of them expiring before we use them.
• We accept donations for use both for our animals in foster care and for our four community pet food banks. We accept donations of all brands of dog and cat food, both dry and canned. Thank you for your support! See more details on donations here.

We do not feed or accept rawhides or bully-stick type items for the safety of our pets. Antlers, Kongs and hooves are great alternatives!