Lost & Found Pet Resources
The first few hours matter. Our checklist helps you take the right actions immediately instead of spending precious time figuring out where to start.
I Lost My Pet, Now What?
Search your home and yard first
Check under beds, in closets, behind furniture, inside sheds and garages. Shake treats or squeak a favorite toy. Cats especially will hide when scared and may not come out even when called.
Walk your neighborhood immediately
Bring a recent photo. Talk to neighbors face-to-face. Check under porches, shrubs, and ask neighbors to check sheds and garages. Kids can be especially observant. Ask them too.
Call local shelters and animal control, and keep calling
Contact all shelters within 20 miles. File a lost pet report with each one. Visit in person with photos when possible, staff are overwhelmed and may not match your pet to a report. Walk through the kennels available to the public yourself.
3528 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY 40218
Open noon–6pm, Monday–Saturday
Phone: (502) 473-PETS · Report & Search Online
Check for a microchip
If someone finds your pet, any vet, shelter, or animal control office can scan them for free. Keep your microchip registration updated with your current phone number and address.
Post on lost pet databases
- Petco Love Lost uses AI facial recognition to match lost/found pets nationwide, free
- Pet FBI free database with automatic matching and flyer generation
- PawBoost large community alert network
- 24PetConnect hosts found pet listings
Post on social media and community groups
- Local "Lost Pet" Facebook pages for your area
- Nextdoor
- Reddit, r/Louisville
- Share a clear photo, description, last known location, and your contact info
Make and post flyers
- Big bold headline: "LOST DOG" or "MISSING CAT"
- Clear recent photo
- Breed, color, sex, weight, distinguishing features
- When and where last seen
- Two phone numbers (yours + a backup)
- Post at vet offices, pet stores, dog parks, grocery stores, gas stations, schools
Leave out a scent item (especially for cats)
Place your cat's litter box, a worn shirt, or familiar bedding outside. Cats navigate by scent and this can help guide them home. For dogs, leave a worn piece of clothing at the last known location.
Don't give up
Some pets are found weeks or even months later. Keep checking shelters in person. Keep your online posts updated. Pets have been reunited with their families after surprisingly long times.
⚠️ Beware of Scammers
If you post about a lost pet online, you may get messages from people claiming they found your pet and asking for money, a verification code, or personal info. Never send money before verifying. Ask for a specific detail only someone with your pet would know, a unique marking, a specific photo angle, or something not included in your public post. If it feels off, it probably is.
I Found a Pet, Now What?
Check for ID tags and microchips
Take the pet to any vet, shelter, or animal control for a free microchip scan. This is the fastest path home. You can also search the AAHA microchip lookup below.
File a found pet report
- LMAS Report online (Kentucky requires strays be registered at LMAS, 3528 Newburg Rd, for a 5-day stray hold)
- Pet FBI auto-generates a flyer and matches against lost reports
- Petco Love Lost upload a photo for facial recognition matching
- 24PetConnect report found pets
Post on social media and community groups
Same channels: Nextdoor, local Facebook lost pet pages, Reddit. A clear photo and the location where you found them is often enough for an owner to recognize their pet.
Be careful with assumptions
A pet who looks rough may have only been lost for a few days. Don't assume neglect. Someone is probably out there looking for them. Make every effort to trace the owner before assuming the pet is abandoned.
Keep found pets separate from your own pets
Isolate them until you've confirmed they're healthy. Disease risk is real. A quick vet visit for a health check and microchip scan is the safest first step.
🔍 Microchip Lookup
Found a pet? Search their microchip number to find the registry and contact the owner. Enter the chip number from any scanner reading.
Search AAHA Microchip Lookup📋 Where to Report
Don't just post on Facebook. These databases are where shelters and finders actually look.