How to Report a Lost or Found Pet
Reuniting pets with their families is a community effort. Whether you’ve lost a pet or found an animal, the steps below will help get them home as quickly as possible.
Option 1: Report a Lost or Found Pet to Us (Email)
To report a lost or found animal, please email us with the following information:
Email Subject Line:
Lost Animal or Found Animal
Include in the Email:
- Your full name
- Phone number, email address, and any other contact info
- Type of animal (dog, cat, etc.)
- Detailed description of the animal:
- Color, size, breed (if known)
- Sex (male/female)
- Name (if known)
- Dog tag number (if wearing a Saginaw County tag)
- Last known location lost or exact location found
- Date and approximate time the animal was lost or found
- A recent photo (clear photos help tremendously)
Photos provided may be shared on our website and social media to help locate an owner.
If the Animal Has Identification
- Saginaw County Dog Tag: Call (989) 797-4500 and follow the prompts to retrieve the owner’s phone number.
- Any ID Tag or Collar: Attempt to contact the owner using the information listed.
- Microchip: The animal can be scanned for a microchip at:
- Local veterinary clinics
- Animal shelters
Always call ahead to confirm scanning capability.
Lost a Pet?
Taking action quickly makes a huge difference.
Immediate Steps
- Post flyers in your neighborhood as soon as your pet goes missing
- Talk to:
- Neighbors
- Mail carriers
- Delivery drivers
What to Include on Flyers
- Clear photo of your pet
- Pet’s name and description (color, markings, size)
- Whether they are friendly or fearful
- Any medical needs
- Date and location last seen
- Your phone number
Additional Tips
- Place an ad in the local paper (and check found ads)
- Offer a reward if possible
- Check the shelter in person
- Keep looking for at least 10 days
- Many pets are found by the public and reported days later
Found an Animal? Additional Steps That Help
- Notify neighbors in the area where the animal was found
- Post flyers in the neighborhood and nearby businesses
- Post on:
- Local Facebook groups
- Community lost & found pet pages
- Our Found Pets page
- Petco Love Lost (see below)
- You may:
- Contact us to request dog pickup
- Bring the animal directly to the shelter
We do not pick up cats unless they are injured.
Use Petco Love Lost (Strongly Encouraged)
Petco Love Lost is a free, nationwide lost-and-found pet database that uses photo-matching technology to help reunite pets with their families.
Why Petco Love Lost Is Important
- Uses AI photo matching to compare lost and found pets
- Searches beyond shelters to include pets found by the public
- Sends automatic match alerts
- Helps connect pets that may never enter a shelter
What to Do
- If you lost a pet: Upload your pet’s details and photos as soon as possible.
- If you found a pet: Create a found-pet listing—even if you are holding the animal temporarily.
Clear, recent photos greatly improve matching results.