Can’t find your pet anywhere? We know the sinking feeling that comes with discovering your furry best friend is on the lam. And maybe right now all you’re thinking is, “where do I begin?” Take a deep breath before doing anything. Then check out the following tips to help you search for your lost cat or dog. Remember, the sooner you begin your search, the better your chances of being reunited with your lost animal.

Things to do in your neighborhood.
Things to do outside your neighborhood.

Protect Your Pets Now.
Think You Saw Your Lost Pet on Our Website?

In Your Neighborhood

Search your house – thoroughly
In our 50 years, we’ve seen some strange hiding places for cats and small dogs. Go through your home, even if you already checked once, and pay close attention to inside, outside and underside of these areas:

• Appliances (i.e. clothes dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, washing machine, etc.)
• Attic
• Boxes
• Cabinets
• Closets
• Crawl spaces
• Drain pipes
• Drawers
• Gutters
• Roof
• Sheds/barns
• Shelves/bookcases
• Trees/bushes
• Vehicles

Walk the neighborhood with a friend or family member.

• Go door-to-door where your pet was last seen, talking to everyone (including postal carriers, paper carriers, school crossing guards and children).
• Carry a written description of your pet with your phone number to leave with residents or on the door (for your safety, never leave your name or your address).
• Bring a powerful flashlight even during the day, as you’re sure to find yourself peering into dark spaces such as garages, trash bins, crawl spaces, etc. If injured, your dog or cat is likely to hide in a dark space (remember your last migraine when all you wanted to do was crawl into a hole?).

Make noise as you walk around the neighborhood.

• Did you know your pet’s ears will perk up at the sound of your voice from a long distance! Just remember to stop often and listen for your pet’s reply.
• Have everyone in the family call the pet’s name.
  Bring your pet’s favorite squeaky toy and use it.
  Take a box of your pet’s favorite treats and rattle it loudly while calling his/her name.
• Make any other noise that your pet knows.

Post flyers within a one-mile radius of where your pet was lost.

• You see them all the time on street corners. And yes, flyers and posters produce more results when searching for a lost pet than anything else. Before you post, make sure to get permission from the proper authorities.
• Use 8 ½ x 11 fluorescent paper to attract the most attention.
  Include an easy-to-read title such as “LOST DOG” or “LOST CAT.”
  List the date and place your pet was lost.
• Include a short, simple description of your pet (i.e. male cat, black fur, green eyes), but withhold several identifying marks so you can verify that a person truly has your pet.
• If possible, try to include a color photo of your pet.
• Offer a reward if you wish, but do not specify an amount. Be aware of pet scams! Never send money before you have your pet back. Some scams include “Your pet is at an animal hospital. Just send me $200 to pay the bill and I’ll bring your pet to you” or “I found your pet while I was driving through Phoenix, but now I’m in Tucson. Send me $100 for gas money and I’ll drive her back to you.”
• For your own security, never put your name nor your address on the flyer.
• Post flyers at waist level on telephone poles.
• Post flyers eye level in places such as veterinary offices, pet shops, barber/beauty shops, grocery stores, community and school bulletin boards, churches, convenience stores, near schools, Laundromats, etc.
• Check your posted flyers often and replace missing or damaged ones.

Place strongly-scented items outside your home.

• Just like his hearing, your pet’s sense of smell can help him find his way. Here are few ideas of what can serve as a beacon for your lost pal:
  • A pair of your old gym socks or shirt
  • Your pet’s bedding and/or favorite toys
  • Foods with a strong odor such as tuna, sardines or other savory meat your pet enjoys (Be sure to protect the food so other animals won’t eat it!)

Outside Your Neighborhood
Visit our Sunnyslope Facility Admissions Department and ask to see the lost pets in our Second Chance Animal Hospital™. We take in more than 100 animals a day and can’t verify over the phone. Our Sunnyslope Admissions department is open from 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday.

• If your pet’s been missing for several days or weeks, check the adoptable animals at both our Sunnyslope Facility and our Nina Mason Pulliam campus for Compassion. You can also view them here. It’s possible we put your lost pet up for adoption because he or she did not have ID and never was claimed.
• Bring a photo of your pet and his or her veterinary records.
• Take turns visiting with family members.
• Leave a flyer about your lost pet at the shelters.

Visit both locations of Maricopa County Animal Care and Control – quickly and often!

• Check the county facilities every 24-72 hours. By law, the county shelter is only required to hold a lost or stray animal for 72 hours; after that time, the animal becomes the county’s property (The Arizona Humane Society is a non-profit animal shelter and is not affiliated with the county shelter). You can also call them at 602.506.PETS or online at www.maricopa.gov/pets.
• The law requires that healthy, uninjured stray dogs aged 4 months and older be taken to the county shelter.
• Bring a photo of your pet and his or her veterinary records.
  Take turns visiting with family members.
• Leave a flyer about your lost pet at the shelters.

Call local veterinary offices/emergency clinics

• Visit the office in person if they have a description that remotely sounds like your pet.
• Call local rescue organizations (They tend to network with each other and can pass the word about your pet.)

Use pet-friendly resources to spread the word about your lost pet.
There are plenty of resources out there that specialize in reuniting lost pets with their families. Try the following:

Check with your local and state Department of Transportation (DOT)
You may not want to think it, but the hard truth is that a lot of pets are hit and killed by automobiles while on the loose. Both local and state DOTs can help you determine if they have picked up the body of your pet.

Protect Your Pets Now
Losing a pet can happen to any of us. The best way to protect your pet is to ensure he always has current ID. And if your four-legged friend is determined to break free, there are some things you can do to make the reunion a lot quicker…like the following:

• Spay/neuter your pets – It’s not just about population. Pets tend to run off if they’re in heat or they sense another animal in heat.
• Keep fence gates securely locked.
• Pet-proof your fence – When they’re really tenacious, pets will find creative
  escape routes!
• Never allow your pets to roam free in the neighborhood – Remember, cats should always stay indoors.
• Make sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag that has your current phone number
  on it.
• Always transport your cat in a carrier – All it takes is a car backfiring down the road or some other loud noise, and your cat will bolt for the nearest hiding place! Cats also tend to hide and stay put when frightened in a strange place.
• Always transport your dog with a leash – If he’s not in your home or a fence yard, grab the leash!
• Keep updated photos of your pet – Be sure to get close ups of your furry star so you’ll have detailed photos of your one-of-a-kind pal.
• Consider a microchip – Sure, it’s a little sci-fi, but pets can lose collars and tags when on the run. Microchips are a positive and reliable way to ID your pet. Consider a prevalent brand, as animal shelters and veterinary offices can scan stray animals for this ID device.
• Tattoo your pet – They’re hip for humans, but if done correctly, tattoos can provide positive identification for your pet. Just remember, the best place for your pet is on the inner thigh.

Think You Saw Your Lost Pet on Our Website?
Each animal has an identification code that begins with the letter “A” followed by a six-digit number. Write down this number so you can refer to it when speaking to our staff.

• Call us immediately! Remember to have that ID number handy.
  Business Hours – 602.997.7585, ext. 2156
  After 5 p.m. – 602.997.7585, ext. 0
• After notifying AHS by phone, arrange to visit us immediately so you can visually identify your pet. If it’s after hours, don’t worry. Some of our staff will be here to release your pet to you.
• Bring current photos of your pet with you to AHS, as well as copies medical records from your veterinarian, description of items your pet may be wearing (i.e. collar, bandana, etc.). AHS only releases lost pets to owners with proof of ownership.
• Once you visually identify your pet, a member of the Second Chance Clinic will explain your pet’s medical needs.
• All animals are released to their owner with a fee. The Admissions Department will explain the charges incurred by your pet. AHS accepts payments of cash, check, credit
  and debit.