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Lost your pet? Here's what to do now

Lost pets are often closer to home than you'd think, and people who find one usually take it to a vet or rescue to be scanned. These steps cover the places they're most likely to turn up.

Report them on PetLocate and anyone who finds them can reach you, without seeing your details.

Report them missing, free

  1. Search close to home first

    Check sheds, garages, outbuildings and under parked cars: frightened pets hide, and cats especially stay close and quiet. Walk the area calling their name, and ask neighbours to look in their sheds and garages too.

  2. Tell your microchip database

    Mark them as missing, and check your phone number and address are up to date: when a vet or warden scans the chip, this is how they reach you. The chip number is on your vet records or the paperwork from when they were chipped. Not sure which database it's on? Check a Chip will tell you.

    Find your chip's database

  3. Phone local vets, rescues and the council

    Found pets are usually taken to a vet or rescue to be scanned, so give them a description and your number. For a dog, call the council's dog warden today as well: councils keep stray dogs for seven days, after which they can rehome them.

    Find your council

  4. Report them missing on PetLocate

    It's free. You get a page to share and a printable poster with a QR code, and anyone who finds them can message you without either of you seeing the other's details. We also check reports of found pets near you against yours. You choose what's public, and it can be nothing at all.

    Report them missing, free

  5. Spread the word locally

    Put posters up nearby, share in local lost and found groups online, and tell neighbours, dog walkers and delivery drivers. A clear photo matters more than anything else you write.

    See pets reported missing

  6. Watch out for scams

    Never pay anyone before you have your pet back. Ask anyone who says they have them for a photo, and meet somewhere public. If you think your pet was stolen, report it to the police on 101 and ask for a crime reference number.

  7. Keep going

    Pets can come home days or even weeks later. Keep checking with vets, rescues and the warden, and keep your posters up to date.

Found someone else's pet instead? Here's what to do.