Lost Pet Checklist
It is stressful when a pet goes missing. Consider the following steps when looking for your lost pet.
- Search your home and yard first! Check everywhere to see if your pet is trapped, including garages, sheds, closets, and even in furniture like dresser drawers or inside a sleeper sofa. Be sure to call your pet’s name and use food or treats to entice him/her.
- As soon as possible, contact Loudoun County Animal Services at 703-777-0406 to file a Lost Pet Report. Please note that it is best to come in-person to see if your pet is at the animal shelter. We receive calls daily about sightings of animals and from individuals who have found pets.
- All stray dogs and other pets with identification are held for 10 days. Pets without identification are held for 5 days. If not reclaimed in these time periods, the pet becomes the property of LCAS
- Lost reports are kept on file for 60 days.
- Check with animal shelters in neighboring counties. Well-meaning individuals traveling through an area may pick up a stray pet and take them to a shelter in a different county.
- Search online for lost pets. These listings are from people in the community who have found a pet or are currently housed at LCAS. If you see your pet, please call 703-777-0406 to find out if they are at LCAS or in the care of the finder.
- Post signs in within a radius of two miles. Include well-traveled areas and grocery stores, libraries and veterinarian offices.
- It is important to have a good “lost pet” poster to aid you in your search.
- You might want to utilize a flyer template, you can find a variety of options online or try one of these
- Talk to your neighbors.
- Walk and/or drive your neighborhood daily.
- Visit websites and post a clear picture on Facebook pages that list lost pets.
- Call local veterinarians in case your pet was brought to them.
- Talk regularly to your neighbors and to those who are in your neighborhood often, including mail carriers.