Find your lost pet or report a found animal
If your pet is lost, visit or call your local animal shelter immediately — animals are held for 3 to 5 days in most jurisdictions. Search online databases like PetFinder and Center for Lost Pets. Post on local social media groups. Act within the first 24 hours — the sooner you report and search, the better the odds of reunion.
Fastest options first
Animals at shelters are held only 3–5 days. Call and visit in person — photos in databases can be poor quality. Describe your pet's markings, color, and any distinctive features.
Free national database used by shelters and rescues. Search by ZIP code at petfinder.com/lost-found. Post your missing pet as well.
Centerforlostpets.com lets you post your pet and get alerts when an animal matching your description is found at a local shelter.
Neighbors who find pets often post on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups before contacting animal control. Search "[your neighborhood] lost pets".
What you may need to bring
- Clear photo of your pet
- Pet's microchip number if applicable
- Description: breed, color, markings, any distinctive features
- Date, time, and location where pet was last seen
What to expect
File a lost pet report with your local shelter as soon as possible. Visit in person — don't rely only on phone or online searches. Check back every 1–2 days. Post flyers within 6 blocks of where your pet was last seen. If your pet is microchipped, contact the microchip registry (like HomeAgain or AKC Reunite) to flag your pet as missing.
Find local resources near you
Enter your ZIP code on the search page to see verified local options sorted by distance and availability.
Frequently asked questions
- How long do shelters hold animals?
- Most shelters hold stray animals for a minimum of 3–5 days (the "stray hold" period) before making adoption or other decisions. Check your local jurisdiction — the period varies. Act immediately.
- My pet is microchipped — does that mean the shelter will contact me?
- Only if the microchip is registered to your current contact information. Contact your microchip registry immediately to update your info and flag the pet as missing.
- What if someone found my pet and isn't returning it?
- Contact animal control and file a report. Keep documentation of ownership — vet records, photos, microchip registration. In most states, the original owner has legal rights to their pet.
- How do I report a found animal?
- Call your local animal control or shelter to report a found animal. You can also post on PetFinder and Center for Lost Pets. If the animal appears injured, call animal control immediately.
Data sources: 211 networks, nonprofit registries, government databases, and community-verified listings. Resources are reviewed for accuracy. Learn about our data.