Lost Pet Checklist

• Search your home and immediate surroundings thoroughly, including hiding spots inside.
• Walk the area on foot, calling calmly and carrying treats or a favorite toy.
• Alert household members and immediate neighbors so more people are looking.
• Grab a recent, clear photo you can share online and on flyers.

• Post a lost pet listing with a photo, the last-seen location, and your contact details.
• Call nearby veterinary clinics, animal shelters and animal control to file a report.
• If your pet is microchipped, confirm your contact details are current with the chip registry. See how microchips help.
• Notify your neighborhood: group chats, resident apps and local social media groups.

• Make and post flyers where people walk and drive. Use our flyer guide and Facebook post template.
• Visit local shelters in person every couple of days rather than relying on phone descriptions.
• Check recent found listings daily in case someone reported your pet.
• Search at dawn and after dark when it is quiet, especially for cats.

Do not lose hope if the first days pass without news. Keep your listing active, keep checking shelters, and keep flyers fresh. Pets are reunited with their families well beyond the first week. If you found someone else's pet, see report a found pet.

What is the single most important first step?

Search close to home immediately and, in parallel, post a listing with a clear photo and last-seen location so your search becomes visible right away.

Who should I call first?

Nearby veterinary clinics, animal shelters and animal control. Found pets are often brought to these places, so an early report helps them match your pet to you.

How often should I check shelters?

Visit in person every couple of days. Staff descriptions can miss a match, so seeing the animals yourself is more reliable.