• Run a lost ad in the News-Gazette by calling 217-351-5288
• Contact Champaign County Animal Control at 217-384-3978 and report the animal as missing
• Email CATsNAP the missing animal's information
• Prepare a flyer and post in vicinity of where animal disappeared; Give copy to animal control  [Here is a MS Word template to use for a Lost Pet flyer]

Found an Animal?

• Run a free found ad in the News-Gazette by calling 217-351-5288
• Contact Champaign County Animal Control at 217-384-3978 and report the animal as found
• Email CATsNAP the found animal's information
• Stop in at any veterinarian's office and have the animal checked for a microchip; verify animal's sex while there [free service]
• Prepare a flyer and post in vicinity of where animal was found; Give copy to animal control  [Here is a MS Word template to use for a Found Pet flyer]

Where to take a Homeless Animal:

•  Animals appearing to be homeless should immediately be reported as FOUND. See above ways for doing this.
•  Did the cat or dog just show up?  If so, this animal is considered a stray animal and is probably somebody's pet.  This animals should go to the Champaign County Animal Control facility.  At a minimum, notify the facility that the animal has been found if you intend to keep it for a several days.  Many of these animals are euthanized if not reclaimed by their owner.  If you want to adopt the animal if it is not reclaimed, notify the staff at Animal Control to ensure the animal is not destroyed. 
• Has the animal been around for awhile (at least more than 7 days) and seems to be homeless?  Are you feeding it every day?  Have you checked with Animal Control to make sure the animal has not been reported as lost? If you have answered YES to all of these, then, under Illinois law, you are considered the "owner" because a caretaker is considered the owner (see the law cited below), and the cat should then go to the Champaign County Humane Society.  It is important that you tell the humane society that more than 7 days has elapsed, that animal control was consulted and nobody reported this animal as their lost pet, and that you have been acting as the caretaker so that there is no confusion.  If the animal is considered healthy and adoptable, the humane society will find it a permanent home.

*Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/2.16) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.16)
Sec. 2.16. "Owner" means any person having a right of property in an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupied by him or her. "Owner" does not include a feral cat caretaker participating in a trap, spay/neuter, return or release program.
(Source: P.A. 93‑548, eff. 8‑19‑03; 94‑639, eff. 8‑22‑05.)