What To Do If You Find a Lost Pet

Finding a lost pet can feel urgent and emotional. You want to help, but you may not know the safest or quickest way to reunite them with their family. The good news is that most cats and dogs today are microchipped, and that chip is often the key to getting them home.

Step One: Stay Calm and Keep the Pet Safe

Approach slowly and gently. Do not chase or grab, as this can cause the pet to panic and run. Use a calm voice and, if possible, offer food or a treat to help the pet feel safe.

Step Two: Check for Tags

If the pet is wearing a collar with a name tag, call the phone number right away. Visible ID is the fastest way to reconnect a lost pet with their family.

Step Three: Go Straight to a Vet or Shelter

If the pet does not have visible tags, the next step is simple. Take them to the nearest veterinary office or animal shelter. Almost all vets and shelters can scan for a microchip at no cost. Because most cats and dogs are microchipped, this is often the fastest and most reliable way to reunite them with their family.

Step Four: Share with the Community

If the pet does not have a chip, or if the information is out of date, use neighborhood apps, lost-and-found pet groups, and local social media pages to spread the word. Include a photo, the location where the pet was found, and your contact information.

A Reminder for Pet Parents

If your own pet has a microchip, make sure your information is current. A microchip is only as effective as the contact details linked to it. Double check that your name and phone number are correct and up to date. Too often, chips cannot be used simply because the information was never updated after a move or a change of phone number.

Why Microchips Matter

Collars and tags are important, but they can fall off. Microchips provide a permanent form of identification that cannot be lost. When paired with updated information, they are one of the most reliable ways to ensure your pet makes it back home.

The DOTR Commitment to Safety

At Dogs On The Run, we are dedicated to protecting pets and reuniting them with their families. Microchips, collars, and name tags work together to provide the best safety net. And when community members like you step in, lost pets have the best chance of making it home quickly.

For more pet safety resources, visit www.DogsOnTheRun.com.

Because every lost pet deserves a way back home.