Lost your pet?

Lost Pets – How we can help and what you can do

We know how stressful it is when a pet goes missing. At Animal Aid, we work hard to reunite lost pets with their owners and provide care for any animals that come into our shelter.

When lost animals arrive at Animal Aid

When a lost pet arrives at our shelter, we:

  • Check for a microchip or council record and contact the owner immediately.

  • Review lost reports and other shelter records to identify owners if no microchip is present.

  • Perform a health check and provide any necessary veterinary care.

  • Ensure pets are reunited with their rightful owner — sometimes ownership is complicated by family changes, conflicting microchip information, or outdated records.

  • Assess habitual escapees and provide advice to owners about containment and behaviour.

  • Work hard to find loving homes for any unclaimed animals.

Found a pet? How you can help

If you find a lost animal, you can assist in getting them back home safely. Remember: your safety and the pet’s safety come first.

  • Do not approach a dog or cat that is behaving aggressively, contact your local council for guidance.

  • Check for identification: pet ID tags, council registration tags, or microchip information.

  • Contact local vets and shelters to see if the animal has been reported missing and leave a found report.

  • Check local social media groups for lost and found pets and post a photo and location if you find an unclaimed pet.

  • If contacting a potential owner directly, try to confirm legal ownership by requesting family photos or proof of registration.

Steps to Increase the Chances of Reuniting Your Pet

1. Update Your Pet’s Microchip

  • Confirm your microchip number with your vet, breeder, or shelter.

  • Use Pet Address to identify your microchip company.

  • Contact the company to ensure your details are up to date and flag your pet as missing.

2. Log a Lost Pet Report

  • Submit a lost pet report on the Animal Aid website — even if your pet is microchipped.

  • We check all lost reports against pets in our care and will contact you if there’s a match.

  • Consider also submitting reports to nearby shelters.

3. Keep an Eye Out

  • We upload photos of pets admitted to our facility. Check our Lost Cats and Lost Dogs pages regularly.

4. Search Your Home and Nearby Hiding Spots

  • Cats and dogs can hide when scared. Check closets, under furniture, sheds, garages, and outdoor spaces like decks or bushes.

  • Ask neighbours to check their properties as well.

5. Create a Lost Pet Flyer

  • Use a free generator like G2Z Lost Pet Poster.

  • Include a clear, recent photo and distinguishing features.

  • Distribute flyers to neighbours, local businesses, community centres, and vet clinics.

6. Leave Familiar Scents Outside

  • Place your pet’s bedding, litter box, or a piece of your clothing outside to help guide them home.

7. Use Social Media and Lost Pet Sites

 We know this can be a difficult and worrying time. If you have questions or need support, please reach out; you and your pet are part of our community, and we’re here to help.
Once your pet is safely home, it it important to update your microchip provider and Animal Aid as well as to take down any flyers and remove social media posts.