Lost a Pet?
We want to help you move quickly and smartly because the first few hours are often what make the difference. Start by searching our listings to see if your pet has already been found.
In the First Hour
- Browse our lost & found listings
Search our online listings right now to see if your pet has already been brought in. Our listings update hourly, so check back often. Pets not claimed within the 48–72 hour stray hold period may become available for adoption. If your pet has been missing for 48 hours or more and isn’t showing up in the lost pet listings, please also check our Adoptable Pets pages. - Contact your microchip company
If your pet is microchipped, call the registry immediately and confirm your contact information is current. This is one of the fastest ways for any shelter or veterinary clinic to reach you if your pet is found. - Walk the neighborhood and talk to your neighbors
Around half of all lost dogs are found within a block of their home. Get outside, knock on doors, and let your neighbors know what happened. They can be your eyes when you can’t be there. - Check online resources
Search the same places people look when they find a pet:
In the Next Few Hours
- Upload photos to Petco Love Lost
Whether you’ve lost a pet or found one, Petco Love Lost helps connect pets with their families using photo-matching technology. Upload a clear photo and details to help increase the chances of a reunion. It’s fast and free.
Go to Petco Love Lost - File a lost pet report
24PetWatch allows both lost and found pet reports to be shared through a widely used national database accessed by shelters, veterinary clinics, and community members.
Report on 24PetWatch
Report on PawBoost
Think You See Your Pet in Our Listings?
Please come in. Even if the photo doesn’t look like an exact match, it’s worth the visit. Animals can look quite different under shelter lighting, and our staff will walk you through our stray areas personally. Our listings update hourly, so frequent check-ins are a good habit while you’re searching.
Could a Friendly Finder Have Your Pet?
Your pet might already be safe and comfortable with someone in your community. Our Friendly Finder program empowers community members to provide temporary care for found pets, without those pets entering the shelter. If your pet was found by a Friendly Finder, they may be listed in our Found Animals database even if they never came through our doors. Be sure to check our found pet listings and reach out to our team if you think this might apply.
Don’t Give Up
Some pets have been reunited with their owners months, even years, after going missing. Keep checking our listings and keep in touch with our staff. We’re rooting for you, and we’ll keep looking alongside you.
Reclaim Fees
If your pet has been brought into our shelter, reclaim fees may apply when you come to pick them up. Visit our Reclaim Fees page for details on what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I file a lost pet report?
As soon as you realize your pet is missing. The sooner we have your pet’s information and photo, the sooner we can begin matching them with pets that come into our care.
How often should I check your found pet listings?
We recommend checking every day. New animals arrive throughout the day, and while we do our best to contact owners when possible, it’s always a good idea to look yourself.
My pet has a microchip. Do I still need to report them missing?
Yes. A microchip is one of the best ways to identify your pet, but it only works if your contact information is current. Filing a lost pet report and checking our listings adds another layer of protection.
What if someone else found my pet?
If someone reports finding your pet or brings them to us, we’ll work to reunite you as quickly as possible. You may be asked to provide proof of ownership before your pet is released.
What if my pet isn’t at The Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce Co.?
Don’t give up. Continue searching your neighborhood, posting to local lost pet groups, and checking with nearby veterinary clinics and animal control agencies. Many pets are reunited without ever entering a shelter.
How long will you hold my stray pet?
By Washington law, stray animals are held for a minimum holding period before they can become available for adoption. During that time, our priority is reuniting pets with their families.