What to do when you find a lost dog or cat
A lost pet's fastest way home might be through you
Most dogs and cats who enter shelters as "strays" are someone's lost pet, who might have slipped out through an open gate or door. When they end up in a shelter, they move farther from home and farther from the person searching for them.
That's why if you find a stray dog or cat, the most important thing you can do is keep them close to where they were found and spread the word in local online groups. Meanwhile, call your nearest shelter or vet to ask about a free scan for a microchip (a small identification device implanted under a pet's skin), which doesn't usually require surrendering the animal.
Shelters in
What happens when communities show up for their animal shelters
When neighbors kept found pets close to home instead of dropping them off at the shelter, reunions happened faster.
That's why the shelter created their Finder to Foster program. When someone finds a lost pet, they fill out a quick questionnaire at the shelter while the animal gets vaccinated and microchipped. Then, the finder goes home temporarily with the lost pet. Staying close to where they were found makes lost pets more likely to get home.
“The more that we invest in our community, the better it will be all around for the people and the pets. Eventually, it will make our lives easier because we’ll have community members helping community members without ever needing us, which will be a wonderful day.”
What to do if you find a lost dog or cat in your community
If you find a lost pet
Resources for you and your neighbors in your community
FAQ: What to do when you find a lost dog or cat
I found a dog/cat wandering. Should I take them to the shelter?
Before heading to the shelter, it's worth calling ahead. Many will scan for a microchip without requiring you to surrender the animal. If there's no chip, you might have better luck connecting with their family by keeping the pet nearby and posting on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups. Where you found the pet is usually close to where their family is looking.
Where should I post about a found pet?
Nextdoor and local Facebook groups reach neighbors quickly. You can also file a found-pet report with Petco Love Lost (petcolove.org/lost), which helps match lost and found pets across a wide network.
How long should I wait before taking a found pet to a shelter?
The closer a lost pet stays to where they were found, the more likely a reunion is. There's no set rule. But giving local outreach a day or two by posting online, talking to neighbors, and hanging flyers keeps the pet closer to where their family is looking.
My pet is missing. What should I do first?
File a lost-pet report with your local shelter right away, and report through Petco Love Lost at petcolove.org/lost. Post on social media and Nextdoor, put up flyers in your neighborhood, and ask neighbors to keep an eye out. Most lost dogs are found within a mile of home, so start your search close and work outward.
Should I check the shelter in person?
Yes, and go back regularly. Pets move quickly through shelters, and descriptions don't always match the way a pet looks in person. So bring a photo of your missing pet and visit in person often, rather than relying on online listings alone.
What if my pet doesn't have a microchip?
A microchip makes it easier to confirm a lost pet belongs to you. Many shelters and vet clinics offer it at low or no cost, and many will scan for chips on lost pets for free. In the meantime, a collar with a current ID tag is also an effective way for someone to reach you if they find your pet.
How can I help someone who has lost or found a pet?
Share information before it's needed. Posting a simple graphic on Nextdoor or social media about what to do when a pet is found or lost could reach the one neighbor who needs it. Most people haven't thought through this until they're in the middle of it.
Shelters and rescue groups in your community need caring people like you to help keep pets at home with their families
When you give us your email address, we'll send you a list of shelters where you live. We'll continue to share more about how you can help save the lives of homeless pets.
When neighbors show up, pets get home
Get more stories like these delivered to your inbox
Never miss a feel-good animal story. When you share your email with us, we’ll send you inspiring stories each week, along with tips on different ways you can help save homeless pets in your community and beyond.
