Fargo Pound

06/02/2026

A little "day in the life" at the Fargo Pound...

If you've called today and I didn't answer right away, I promise I wasn't ignoring you. The Fargo Pound has one staff member during business hours: little old me. While I'd love to be able to answer every call as it comes in, sometimes the animals have other plans.

Today's interruption? These two tiny, 1-day-old kittens who just came into our care. Yesterday it was a neurologic ferret that we are still trying to diagnose. Earlier, it was helping reunite lost pets with their owners. Tomorrow? Your guess is as good as mine.

Most days are a mix of answering calls, returning voicemails, processing impounds, coordinating with officers, tracking down owners, handling paperwork, cleaning kennels, and caring for whatever animals happen to come through our doors. No two days are ever the same, which is part of what makes this job so rewarding (and occasionally chaotic).

So if I don't pick up the phone right away, chances are I'm bottle-feeding kittens, helping a lost pet get home, or cleaning up a mess that definitely wasn't there five minutes ago.

Thanks for your patience while I juggle all the hats. The animals appreciate it, and so do I.

06/01/2026

TW: Deceased Animal
A deceased cat was brought in to our facility today after being found near Main Ave and 42nd St S in Fargo. It is a grey domestic short hair, unaltered male. No collar or microchip, seems to be on the younger adult side for age (approximately 1-3 years). Little patch of white on chest between front legs. If you think this may be your cat, or know of someone missing a cat with similar description, please know we are very sorry for your loss and only post in hopes of providing closure for you and your family.

A photo will be attached, but embedded for those who do not wish to see it. Please contact us at 701-232-7312 or email us at [email protected] to discuss further.

06/01/2026

Note: this little fella is showing some concerning neurologic signs and has been checked over by a veterinarian. We are keeping a close eye on him.

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

Baby season is here, and while our first instinct is often to help, sometimes the best thing we can do is give wildlife space.

Every year, well-meaning people accidentally orphan healthy babies because they look alone, cold, or “abandoned.” In reality, wildlife parents are likely nearby watching, feeding, or waiting for you to leave. The #1 cause of baby animal death in Spring is unnecessary human intervention. Please look over the guide below for simple ways that we can all help protect future generations of wildlife. Then, share this information with family, friends, and neighbors! A little awareness can go a long way towards protecting our precious wildlife neighbors.

Know of a wildlife rehabber in the area? Let us know! Also, when attempting to contact a rehabilitator and you can't get ahold of someone, keep in mind that it's most likely because the rehabilitator is extremely busy. Try sending a text instead with a photo of the baby and wait for their response before touching or feeding. Wildlife rehabilitators often volunteer their time, rely on donations for funding, and are sometimes caring for dozens of animals while still answering calls for help from across the region. While being with an injured animal can feel very stressful, the best thing you can do is relax and not rush what to do next.

Fargo Pound does not personally offer wildlife rehabilitation services, but we can connect individuals with wildlife rehabilitators across the region that do. One available resource is the Regional Wildlife Rehabilitator Map which shows licensed wildlife rehabilitators in US States and Canadian Provinces. If you are new to the field of wildlife rehabilitation and have come across an abandoned or injured animal, please use this map to find a wildlife rehabilitator that can help or check out their decision guides on the best course of action when you've found wildlife: https://www.nwrawildlife.org/page/Found_Injured_Wildlife

04/15/2026

📍 City Licensing Reminder for Pet Owners

If you live in Fargo, this is your reminder that all cats and dogs are required by city ordinance to have an annual license — even if they are indoor-only pets.

You can purchase a license at select Fargo veterinary hospitals, the Fargo City Animal Pound or Fargo City Hall (Auditor's Office). Some veterinary hospitals add a processing fee to the cost of the license; there is no fee added if you buy your license at City Hall. In order to receive a license, you will need to show proof that your animal's rabies vaccination is current.

Licensing isn’t just a formality. It’s one of the fastest ways to help your pet get back home if they ever become lost. We strongly recommend that pets wear both their city license tag and rabies tag at all times so they can be quickly identified.

For those in Moorhead, all cats and dogs over six months of age must also be licensed and registered annually. While wearing the license tag at all times isn’t specifically required, it is strongly encouraged for your pet’s safety.

Unlicensed pets found at large will be impounded, and failure to comply with licensing requirements can result in fines.

🐾 Bottom line: Licensing your pet is not optional — it’s a legal responsibility and one of the simplest ways to protect them. Proper licensing and visible ID greatly increase the chances of a safe reunion if they ever go missing.

Let’s keep our pets safe, identified, and where they belong — at home.

04/14/2026

It’s National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, and here at the Fargo Pound we want to give a shoutout to the incredible Community Service Officers we get the honor of working with every day.

These folks may not carry the official “animal control” title, but they are such an important part of keeping our community and its pets safe. They are often the ones securing stray or injured animals and stepping in when there are concerns about neglect or safety. They play a huge role in getting animals where they need to go, whether that is back home or into our care at the Fargo City Pound. On top of that, they take on so many other responsibilities like enforcement of City ordinances, parking issues, found property, stolen bikes, graffiti, and more. We work closely with them every day and see firsthand the patience, compassion, and steady presence they bring to every situation.

To Cso LaVerne Buzick, Cso Clyde Bryant, Cso Tay Sauvageau, CSO Erik Harmon, and CSO Nora Benson, thank you for everything you do for the animals and people in our community. We truly appreciate you. 🐾

03/12/2026

As the weather warms up, we are rounding the corner into KITTEN SEASON! 🌈🙀

If you spot stray kittens outside, your first instinct might be to scoop them up—but WAIT! Here's a quick guide to help you do the right thing:
1️⃣ Watch & Wait
Mom might just be out getting food - wait a few hours from a distance to see if she returns. Kittens do best with their mama.

2️⃣ Step 2: Check Their Age
👉 Eyes closed? Under 2 weeks.
👉 Wobbly walkers? 3–4 weeks.
👉 Playful & alert? 5+ weeks.
Younger kittens need mom’s care, not immediate rescue (unless they’re sick or in danger).

3️⃣ Step 3: Only Intervene If...
❌ They’re in immediate danger
❌ Mom hasn’t returned in 10-12+ hours
❌ They appear injured, sick, or cold

4️⃣ Step 4: What Next?
Contact one of Fargo-Moorhead's local rescues for advice before transporting them anywhere. They can guide you on fostering, bottle-feeding, or next steps.

When in doubt, don’t kit-nap—get facts first! Thanks for helping keep the animals in our community safe.

02/28/2026

A huge THANK YOU to AKC Reunite for their generous donation of a brand new microchip scanner to Fargo Pound!

This incredible gift helps us do what matters most: reunite lost pets with the people who love them. Every time a found pet comes through our doors, scanning for a microchip is one of the first things we do. Having reliable, up-to-date equipment makes those happy reunions happen faster.

Now we want YOUR input!
We’re exploring the idea of installing public microchip scanning stations around the metro area. These stations would allow someone who finds a lost pet to scan for a microchip and access the registry information, even when we’re closed, helping pets get home sooner.

Question Time:
Would you support public microchip scanning stations in our community? If yes, where should they go?
📍 Large public parks/dog parks
📍 24-hour veterinary clinics
📍 Police departments
📍 Fire stations
📍 Pet supply stores
📍 Community centers
📍 Near city pound property
📍 Other (comment your suggestion)

01/23/2026

💙 Please, PLEASE - keep your pets inside this weekend 💙

As we're sure you've heard, bitterly cold temperatures are here in the Red River Valley. Air temps will remain below zero this afternoon through Monday morning. Add in any amount of wind, and wind chills become dangerously cold, with frostbite possible on exposed skin in as little as five minutes.

🚨 Found a stray animal?
Even though the Fargo Pound is closed on weekends, help is still available. Please call non-emergency dispatch at 701-451-7660 and a police officer can transport the animal to the pound. If you’re able to safely care for the animal until we reopen Monday morning, that is also an option.

Subzero temps and dangerous wind chills can lead to hypothermia quickly, especially for small, senior, and short-haired pets. The signs are real and can be life-threatening, so if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Stick to short potty breaks, and add in some enrichment games or toys if your dog is feeling cooped up.

Thank you for looking out for our community’s animals and helping keep them safe, warm, and alive during this extreme cold.
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