What To Do If Your Pet Gets Lost
By taking necessary precautions and following these steps, your chances of being reunited with your pet drastically increase!
If you and your pet have been separated during an emergency, it is important that you ensure that your family is in a safe location before you begin searching. Remember, don’t make a situation worse by putting yourself or emergency responders in peril by going to an unsafe area or turbulent conditions.
What To Do If Your Pet Gets Lost
By taking necessary precautions and following these steps, your chances of being reunited with your pet drastically increase!
If you and your pet have been separated during an emergency, it is important that you ensure that your family is in a safe location before you begin searching. Remember, don’t make a situation worse by putting yourself or emergency responders in peril by going to an unsafe area or turbulent conditions.
WE ARE SORRY YOUR PET IS MISSING
You did the right thing contacting us to let us know. Here are some helpful tips on what you can do to find your missing pet.
If you and your pet have been separated during an emergency, it is important that you ensure that your family is in a safe location before you begin your search. It is important not to make a situation worse by putting yourself or emergency responders in peril by going into an unsafe area or turbulent conditions.
BEGIN SEARCH
Before your pet has time to roam too far, immediately begin searching within a 2 mile radius from where your pet was last seen.
GATHER NEIGHBORS
Collect your neighbors and friends to search the area your pet was last seen. Don't forget your pet's favorite treat or toy and call out words they respond to, such as "toy" or "treat" along with their name.
CONTACT AKC REUNITE
Notify our 24/7 Reuniters Helpline at
800-252-7894 to let us know your pet is lost so we can confirm your contact information is up-to-date.
ACTIVATE LOST PET ALERT
You can quickly notify shelters, veterinarians and pet lovers in your immediate area to be on the lookout for your lost pet by activating our
Lost Pet Alert. (update required)
GET THE WORD OUT
Create lost pet posters including your pet's name, photo, and your phone number. With our Lost Pet Alert, we provide digital versions that can be shared on social media and printed out to hang-up in the area your pet was last seen.
CONTACT SHELTERS
Notify local animal shelters, humane societies, and the police to report your pet missing. Include an accurate description of your pet’s hair/coat length and color, special markings, size/weight, etc.
EXPAND YOUR SEARCH
Call and visit local shelters daily since staff can change from day-to-day. Remember, if your pet is microchipped, the chance of you and your pet being reunited increase dramatically, so don’t lose hope!
WHEN YOUR PET IS HOME
We love happy reunions! Please let us know when your pet is back home and under your care so we can keep our focus on helping other lost pets.
AFTER REUNION
When you and your pet are reunited, check your pet’s paws, eyes, ears, underbelly, etc. for potential injuries. Also watch for changes to their behavior. If you notice symptoms like diarrhea, excessive drooling, vomiting, refusing food and/or water, or unusual weakness, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately!
HELP KEEP YOUR PET SAFE
There are steps you can take now to improve your chances of being reunited with your pet if it ever gets lost.
Make sure your pet has an AKC Reunite collar tag and is enrolled in AKC Reunite's lost pet recovery service. That way if your pet is ever lost, good Samaritans can call us at 800-252-7894, found on your pet's AKC Reunite collar tag, and we will begin contacting you and all of your alternate contacts on file to reunite you and your pet! You can also activate a Lost Pet Alert to alert others in the area to be on the lookout for your missing pet.
Microchips are necessary in case your pet's collar breaks, or falls off, or its tag is lost or becomes illegible. When your pet is found, a veterinarian or shelter or Animal Control can scan for a microchip and call us so we can reunite you and your pet. Be sure to check your pet’s microchip enrollment information regularly to make sure it is current and up-to-date.