Having a pet go missing can be a frightening experience for any pet guardian. Immediate action is crucial, but where do you start? Follow the steps below for the best chance of a reunion.

What to do immediately after your pet goes missing:

Walk the neighborhood: Take a walk around the immediate area and speak to any neighbors, postal service workers, landscapers, or anyone who may have seen your lost pet. You know your pet best, so look in areas that your pet may have been interested in or comfortable hiding in. Most pets are found close to home.

Place your pet’s scent near your home: Put a couple of your pet’s favorite items near the most common entry ways into your home. The front door and the door into your yard (if you have one) are often the best locations. You can include items like your pet’s favorite bed, blanket, toys, their litterbox (if you lost a cat) and any other items they use frequently. Their scents may help them find their way home.

Next steps:

1. Make sure your pet’s microchip information is up to date. If a finder takes your missing pet to be scanned for a microchip, you want to make sure that all the information is correct so that you will be contacted immediately.
2. Check your local animal shelters. Most shelters have Lost & Found pages on their websites and phone numbers you can call when looking for a lost pet. An in-person trip to the shelter(s) is often preferable so you can look and see if your pet is in their care. Many shelters (including ours) allow you to file a lost report with them, where you can leave a photo of your pet and your contact information. Check your local shelters at least once per day. Visit our Lost & Found page.
3. Search for your lost dog or cat on Petco Love Lost. Petco Love Lost is a national lost and found database where you can create a searchable/shareable alert for your missing pet. Powered by image-recognition technology, Petco Love Lost helps match found animals to reported lost pets nationwide. Visit Petco Love Lost and search now!
4. Use the sharing features on Petco Love Lost to distribute your lost pet listing on other social media outlets like Facebook, Craigslist and Nextdoor.
5. Continue to spread the word about your missing pet. Make sure any posters or fliers you create are large and bright with only relevant information on them. Include at least one photo of your pet. Place your fliers in high-traffic areas and in the vicinity of where your lost pet went missing.
6. Don’t give up! Finding a lost pet can take time. Remember to regularly check websites that you have posted your lost pet on and make updates as needed. New lost and found pets are added regularly to Petco Love Lost and to your local shelters’ websites.