Lost & Found
Is Your Pet Lost?
A lost pet can be a frightening experience for any pet parent. 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.
Share their scent
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 would be the best locations. You can include items like their favorite bed, blanket, toys, their litterbox (if cat) and any other items they use frequently. Their scents may help them find their way home.
Next Steps:
Search for your lost dog or cat on Petco Love Lost
We've partnered with Petco Love Lost to help you search the national lost-and-found database and create a shareable alert for your missing pet.
Upload a photo or search by location — their facial recognition tech matches found pets to lost ones nationwide. Register your pet to create listings and get ready-made fliers by text or email.
Start Your Search
Call Us
406-752-7297 (PAWS)
Use the sharing features on Petco Love Lost
Easily distribute your lost pet listing on other social media outlets like Facebook, Craigslist, and Nextdoor.
Make sure your pet's microchip information is updated
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.
Check with local animal services & shelters
Call to see if your missing pet is at one of these locations. An in-person trip is preferable so you can look and see if your pet is in their care. Many organizations allow you to place a lost report with them, where you can leave a photo of your pet and your contact information.
Continue to spread the word about your missing pet
Make sure any posters or fliers made are large and bright with only relevant information on it. Place in high traffic areas and in the vicinity of where your lost pet went missing.
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.