Lost Pets
Don't Give Up!
Pets can go missing quickly, whether through an open door or gate at home or when frightened by loud noises, and it can be a traumatic experience for both pets and the people who love them. Here are some tips to help you find your pet.
Estimates suggest that 1 in 3 pets go missing in their lifetime, 10 million a year, and many never return home. LA Animal Services is part of the LA Lost Pet Coalition, a joint effort between Petco Love and 20 Los Angeles-area shelters to use Petco Love Lost as the main lost and found reporting tool for pets -- with the goal to prevent lost and found pets from entering shelters and to help pets get back home to their families.
Petco Love Lost is a searchable national database that uses patented facial recognition technology to find lost pets quicker and easier. Register your pet for free.
PawBoost is like an AMBER Alert for lost pets. Millions of pet lovers have joined their Rescue Squad by signing up for localized lost & found pet alerts. More importantly, PawBoost has helped reunite over 1 million pets with their families. Posting is free, with optional premium services available.
Post a photo and description on various social media platforms that focus on your neighborhood.
Some social media recommendations include:
Search Your Neighborhood And Engage The Community
According to an ASPCA survey, about half of missing dogs and a third of missing cats were found by searching their local neighborhoods.
-
Walk or drive through your neighborhood and post flyers in surrounding areas. Offer a reward and use bold headlines like “LOST DOG” or “MISSING CAT.”
-
Ask neighbors, letter carriers, and delivery drivers if they have seen your pet. Sometimes scared animals hide and it takes them a while to let anyone see them. Some even hide in a neighbors garage.
-
Check with veterinarians in the area your pet was lost to see if any injured animals have been turned in.
Contact Your Nearest Shelter
View the Lost Pet Search on our website to check if your lost pet is at one of our Centers. Your dog or cat may be scared and may not photograph well, so we recommend visiting and looking for yourself. Keep checking the shelters daily. Be sure to check the hospital ward and isolation areas in addition to the regular kennel areas for your pet.
In order to redeem your pet, you must present proof of ownership. Proof may include photos, vaccination records, or adoption certificates, among others. You also must present a valid form of government-issued photo identification (i.e. drivers license).
Be wary of pet recovery scams
These are people who insist that you give or wire them money in advance before they’ll return your pet. Ask them to send you a photo of your pet to see if they have your pet. If they refuse, they may not have your pet.
Additional Resources to Find Lost Pets
View the lost dogs and cats found by members of the public, or do a lost pet search of the animals in our six LA Animal Services Centers.
You can also register your missing animal with our lost pet registration service provided by petharbor.com
You will be emailed automatically when an animal matching the description you provide is registered as FOUND or shows up at one the Los Angeles Animal Services Center. Emails are sent once per day and registration is valid for 30 days.
