Losing your pet is very upsetting, but there are things you can do to help find them. Every day lost and straying animals arrive at our doors after being brought in by a kind member of the public, the Dog Warden, RSPCA Inspectors or the Police. We are always here to help. If you’ve lost your pet, here’s what you can do.
Report it
The first thing we do when a lost animal arrives is check for a microchip so that they can be quickly reunited with their owners. We will get in touch if your animal arrives with us, but you should also contact other local rescue centres.
Here are a few you can try:
- Bristol and Wales Cat Rescue
- Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary
- Bath Cats and Dogs Home
- The Moggery
- Cats Protection North Bristol
- The Littlest Lives Rescue
- Bristol Rabbit Rescue and friends
Contact your local vets to report them missing – the RCVS has a list of vets in Bristol available here.
Check the chip
The largest microchip database is Petlog. Click here to visit their website or you can call them on 01296 336579. They will send an alert out to professionals in your area.
Spread the word
- Ask neighbours to check their sheds and garages, and put up posters in your local area.
- Pets Located tries to match lost and found pets automatically from a combination of description and location. It costs from as little as £6 to register, but you should be able to claim that back from your pet insurance. Click here to visit their website.
- Post in local Facebook groups such as Lost and Found Pets in Bristol/South Glos.
What type of animal have you lost?
Lost a dog?
Report your dog as missing to your local authority Dog Warden as soon as possible, they’ll have records of found strays in their area. It is a legal requirement to report that you have found a dog.
Bristol City Dog Wardens: 0117 9222500
South Gloucestershire Dog Wardens: 01454 868000
Dog Lost is a free online service which alerts helpers in your area to look for your dog. They will also make a poster for you to download and print off.
Tips for finding a lost dog:
- Stay in one place: if you’ve lost them on a walk, stay in one place to call them. Dogs will usually head along a well known route to try and find you again, so stay somewhere with good visibility. Some dogs may head back towards the car.
- Overnight crates: if you know they are in a particular area, set up a crate as an overnight shelter with water (not food, as this will attract wild animals that might scare your dog away) and a familiar blanket in there, perhaps some old clothes of yours too. If they find it, they should stay close to it and be nearby when you visit the next day. If you don’t have a crate, try leaving your coat somewhere, as your scent will attract and comfort them.
Lost a cat?
Tips for finding a lost cat:
- Put their litter tray outside, and hang their bedding on the line. It might help your cat find their way home if they have gotten disorientated.
- Often when we think cats are missing, they are in fact hiding from a perceived threat. If they’re afraid they will hide silently, in which case it’s best to search late at night when outdoor activity quietens down – that way you’ll have a better chance of hearing them.
- If you’re unable to search at night or don’t have much luck, using a wildlife or security camera can be helpful in determining if your cat is still in the area, and to establish the best location for finding them.
Lost a small animal?
- Start your search inside: small animals like rats, hamsters and ferrets are incredibly agile and flexible, so they can fit in the smallest spaces of your home. Search every tight space you can think of inside your home – some of the most common places they like to hide include under furniture, behind and inside drawers, in lofts and in piles of clothes.
- If you’re searching outside, it might be helpful to bring a torch, even during the day, because they may be hiding in a dark spot. It may also help to bring your pet’s favourite treats with you to entice them.
- A wildlife camera can be helpful for capturing footage of them scurrying out of hiding in the night.
