LOST & FOUND

How to Search for the Pet’s Owner

Within the First Hour

Ask around in the area you found the pet.

• Ask neighbors, the mail carrier, sanitation workers, and anyone else you see in the area if they recognize the pet you found or know where the pet lives.
• If you found a dog, take the dog for a walk, and see if the dog will lead you back to their home.

Take the pet to any Vet Clinic, Animal Shelters, or Memphis Fire Station to have the pet scanned for a microchip.

• If the found pet has a microchip, this is good news! Please follow these steps to find the pet’s family.
• Go to petmicrochiplookup.org and enter the microchip number in the search box (please make sure you enter it correctly – the microchip number will be a 9, 10, or 15 character number or alphanumeric number.
• If the microchip is “enrolled” or registered, the Microchip Registries will show up on the site (please note, the pet’s microchip may be registered in more than one registry). Start at the top (most current registration) and work your way down if there are multiple registrations.
  • If the microchip is registered with Found Animals Registry (the registry we use at Memphis Animal Services), simply click on their website and either click 1) Start Found Pet Alert or 2) Search Microchip number. Once the microchip number is entered click on the green box that says, “CLICK HERE TO NOTIFY OWNER,” and then “Contact Pet Owner” and enter your contact information. Once you have entered your contact information the pet owner will receive a call, text and an email immediately letting them know you have their pet!
  • If the microchip is registered with another registry (Home Again, 24PetWatch, AKC Reunite, etc), call the 800 number or go to their website in order to notify the pet owner.
  • If the microchip isn’t enrolled, please try the companies listed as “being distributed or manufactured by” AND go to Avidid and enter the chip number and your contact information on the Avid website or call Avid at 1-800-336-2843.

Check to see if the pet has any ID on their collar.

• Even if they just have a rabies tag, MAS may be able to track that for you. Send a photo of the rabies tag to [email protected] to see if we can track it or call 901-636-1416.
• If the pet has a 2021 or newer rabies tag, it may have a QR code on the tag. Scan the QR code with your smart phone to see if the owner’s contact information has been uploaded.

File a Found Pet Report

• When you file a found pet report, your report will be displayed on our website. People who have lost pets are encouraged to browse the found pets page to see if the pet they lost has been reported found.

Post on Lost and Found Pets of the MidSouth

• Post a photo of the pet, details about the pet, when/where the pet was found, and your name and phone number on the Lost and Found Pets of the MidSouth Facebook page. If you don’t have a Facebook account, we suggest that you create one solely for this purpose (you can always delete it once you’ve found the owner of the pet).
• A dedicated group of volunteers runs and monitors this page, working diligently to make connections with lost and found pets in the community. This page has nearly 40,000 followers, so we strongly suggest posting the found pet here to get as much exposure as possible so people can be on the lookout for the owner.
• Browse posts on this page as often as possible to see if anyone has reported this pet lost.

Post on Nextdoor

• Nextdoor is an app that is based on your geographical location and is a great place to post about lost and found pets so that your neighbors can be on the lookout. Post a photo of the pet, details about the pet, when/where the pet was found, and your name and phone number.
• Browse posts on this page as often as possible to see if anyone has reported this pet lost.

Within the First Few Hours

Search Lost Pet Reports

• Searching here (also linked from the SEARCH button above) will show you pets who have been reported lost by the community. Browse as often as possible to see if anyone has reported the pet you found as lost.

Post on PawBoost

• 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. Report a Lost or Found Pet to PawBoost.
• Browse posts regularly to see if anyone reports the pet you found as lost.

Post on Petco Love Lost

• Petco Love Lost is a free national lost/found database that uses facial recognition technology to reunite lost pets with their families.
• Browse posts regularly to see if anyone reports this pet lost.

Within the First 24 Hours

Print Lost Pet Flyers

• Put up flyers (with a photo of the pet, details about him/her, and your name and contact information) in the area near where the pet was found. Lost pets can cover miles more quickly than you’d think, so be thorough. Take the flyers to local businesses, shelters, and vet clinics and ask them to display the flyers and be on the lookout.
• PawBoost and Petco Love Lost create free flyers when you post the found pet in their database. You can download and print these flyers to use.
• You can create large yard signs and ask neighbors in the area if you can put one in their yard (especially at busy intersections to increase exposure). We recommend using bright eye-catching colors to grab people’s attention.
• You can create small (1/4-page size) flyers and post them on the doors of your neighbors’ houses to let them know about this found pet and to be on the lookout for the owner.
• You can put a large photo of the pet and your contact information in the rear window of your car to further increase exposure, especially if you drive around in the area the pet was found.

Post on Neighbors by Ring

• Neighbors by Ring is a neighborhood app based on your geographical location and is a great place to post about lost and found pets so that your neighbors can be on the lookout. Post a photo of the pet, details about the pet, when/where the pet was found, and your name and phone number.
• Browse posts regularly to see if anyone reports this pet lost.

Post on Craigslist

• Post a photo of the pet, details about the pet, when/where the pet was found, and your name and phone number. We recommend posting in the lost+found section and the pets section for maximum exposure.
• Browse posts regularly to see if anyone reports this pet lost.

Call vet clinics in your area to file a found pet report and see if they may know the owner of the pet.

• Click here to download a list of vet clinics in Shelby County by zip code