Did You Lose a Pet?

Cherie the cat

NEW! Click here to view videos of our lost pet intake kennels.

1. File a Lost Report with us.

Please submit the form with all the appropriate information. Give an accurate description of your pet. Include size, ears, length of hair, colors, and any special markings/scars, etc.

2. Search through our Found Reports on the Animal Search page.

On our Animal Search page, you may search through Found Animal Reports. You must complete all fields in order for the search to work, i.e. breed, color and sex. If your animal is a mix of several different breeds you must keep changing the criteria to make your search as broad as possible. Click on the details (+) button to find out where an animal was found, where it is being kept, and the contact information. Please make a note of the record number to refer to if you need to contact the shelter.

3. Visit our shelter and other local area shelters (soon & often).

Call and go by all local area shelters and animal control agencies. Multnomah County has computerized lost and found information for pet owners via website, but this does not take the place of coming to the shelter and looking in person. Only you can positively identify your own pet. Do not assume that looking on the web is enough. We may have overlooked a pet or misunderstood your description.

Early action is best. Don't even wait a day. Unlicensed pets are kept for only 3 days before becoming eligible for adoption, so it is important to check the shelter as soon as you notice your pet is gone. Visit both kennel areas and the hospital ward, check the Found Pet binder, and leave a Lost Report at the front counter (or file it online). Bring a missing pet flier with a photo of your pet to put in the Lost Pet binder. Also check the "Dead on Arrival" files kept by our agency.

Other animal control agencies and shelters:

4. Bring a flier with a photo of your pet to the shelter.

We keep a binder of lost pet fliers at the shelter. Often, people who find pets will search through these binders.

5. Advertise and look everywhere.

Put up signs in the neighborhood. Place ads in the local papers and online. If you offer a reward do not give the amount. Check the found pet sections of newspapers and online listings. If the description is close, call. Ask elementary schools in your area to post a flier. Kids are everywhere and may see your pet. If you've lost a cat, please review Lost Cat Behavior.

Places to place (& search) ads online:

Publications to place (&search) ads:

6. Don't give up!

Many pets return home or are brought to the shelter months after they became lost. Visit the shelter once every three days (open to the public 6 days a week). Remember- pets that come in without owner identification are held for only 3 days before they become eligible for adoption. When your pet does return, please license and microchip your animal to enable a quicker and easier return should your pet ever become lost again.