How to Search Shelters for a Missing Pet

Losing your pet is a frightening experience. However, if you take precautions before your pet is lost and if you approach the search in a systematic way, chances are that your missing pet will soon be safely back at home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Microchip your pet as soon as you adopt him. Most shelters check carefully for microchips on found pets so they can locate you.

2. Take documentary photos of your pet from all angles, clearly illustrating her markings, overall build and size. Update your photos on a regular basis so you always have accurate photos to share with shelters or individuals.

3. Make a list of all of the shelters in your area. Be sure to include county animal shelters and pounds, local Humane Society chapters and independent animal rescue organizations. Websites like Petfinder and Adopt a Pet can help you build this list if your phone directory doesn't include full listings of animal shelters.

4. Call the shelters to see if your missing pet is there. If not, find out whether you can register your lost pet with them. Also find out their hours, how long they hold an animal and the price of redeeming a pet.

5. Search databases of found animals online. Though not all shelters have online databases, larger ones often do. Some update their databases a few times each business day, which gives you an easy way to search for your missing pet.

6. Visit each shelter. When you arrive, check in with the front desk staff to let them know you're looking for a missing pet. Not all pets are in public areas, so you may not see your pet if you just walk through the public cage areas. Ask to see the DOA list as well, in case your pet was hit by a car or otherwise fatally injured.

7. Leave a set of photos at each shelter if you can't find your pet, and return in the next day or two to search for your pet again.

Tips & Warnings

• Check laws applying to stray animals in your community. In some areas, people must turn stray animals over to a shelter, though other areas allow people to keep stray animals they find. If your community doesn't require stray turn-over, be sure to run a lost pet ad and also check the found pet ads daily.
• Let the shelters know where you lost your pet. Some shelters serve only limited areas.
• If you're missing an unusual pet, she may be at the pound. Stray reptiles, rodents, ferrets and even pet farm animals often end up at county shelters.

Resources

• Find local animal shelters at Petfinder
• Use Adopt a Pet to find additional shelters