I Found A Pet. Now What?


  • CATS - The best thing you can do for a cat that you've found, so long as he or she seems healthy, is put it back where you found it. Cats taken to shelters have a very low chance of making it back to their homes, especially if you take the cat out of the area you found it. It is likely the cat went for a stroll and he or she will return home when ready.
  • KITTENS - Kittens eight weeks and younger taken away from their mothers have a survival rate of 30% and that number drops significantly lower when taken into a shelter environment. They can be put back where you found them for up to 36 hours after moving them and momma will still continue to care for them as normal.
 
  • Check the animal for any ID tags, this will be the quickest way to get an animal home.
  • Take the animal to a vet or rescue to have it scanned for a microchip as soon as possible. They can help you get in touch with an owner if the animal does have a registered microchip. Registered microchip numbers can be entered into a universal database where you will be able to contact the registered owner. Just enter the number through the AHAA Microchip Lookup.
  • Contact local veterinarians and rescues to file a found animal report.
  • Post the animal to websites such as pawboost.comfindingrover.com, and petfbi.org. These websites will share to local pages and Facebook groups as well as create found pet flyers for you to hang up.
  • Hang flyers in the area you found the pet; they likely aren't far from home.
  • If an owner comes forward, ask for proof of ownership. Such as pictures or veterinarian records.
  • Stray holds - Animals found without a collar or other means of identification should be held for no fewer than three (3) days and an effort made to reunite the animal with its owner. Animals found with a collar, or other means of identification such as recently groomed, should be held for no fewer than five (5) days and an effort made to reunite the animal with its owner.
  • Contact us for more information

I Lost A Pet. Now What?


  • Contact local agencies, such as animal shelters or veterinarians, to file a lost animal report. A list of local agencies can be found on our resources page. Remember to check in with these agencies more than once, preferably in person, to look for your pet.
  • If your pet is microchipped, notify the microchip company to be on the lookout for your pet.
  • Post your pet to your social media as well, make sure that the post is set to public so that friends and family can help share your pet.
  • Post your pet to websites like findingrover.compawboost.com, and petfbi.org. These websites will also make lost animal flyers for you to hang around your neighborhood and town.
  • Search your neighborhood several times a day. Remember to search in places you think your pet may be to big to hide in or under.
  • Make sure that your neighbors know your pet is missing so that they can keep an eye out as well
  • Rent an appropriately sized trap from your local shelter or buy one from stores like Tractor Supply. Set the trap up with food inside near the last known sighting and check often.
  • For cats in particular, leaving their uncleaned litter box outside may coax them out from hiding.
  • Don't give up! Pets have been reunited after months apart from their families.
  • Contact us for more information and resources