With Fourth of July celebrations right around the corner and July marking the start of Petco Love’s Lost Pet Prevention Month, here are some helpful tips to help reconnect lost pets with their families:

Share a picture of the pet
Share a picture of the stray pet you found on local lost and found pet Facebook groups, Nextdoor, Craigslist, Petco Love Lost, and other online platforms. Many pet parents use these resources to find their lost pets.

Check the surrounding area
Many lost dogs are found within a mile of home. A little less than half are found just within a block of their home! If you can, try walking the dog around the neighborhood to see if neighbors recognize them or if the owner is out looking.

Consider indoor/outdoor cats
If you find a stray kitty that appears to be healthy, do not bring the cat inside your home or move the cat. (We know this sounds counterintuitive, but it may be the best way for the kitty to find its way home.) Many cats are indoor/outdoor and may be able to get back home all by themselves!

Report a found pet in your community
Report found pets to our shelter by giving us a call at 253-383-2733 and providing our staff with a description of the pet and where they were found. You can also call local vet clinics and provide a description of the pet.

Check for identification
Check for tags or have the pet scanned for a microchip! Found pets can be scanned for a microchip at local vet clinics or our shelter.

Is your pet microchipped? We are providing $15 microchips for pets until July 3rd! No appointment is necessary, and the procedure takes only a minute. Visit our shelter from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at 2608 Center Street in Tacoma. 

If possible, hold on to the pet
If you weren’t able to find the stray pup’s owner and you are able to, hold on to the dog for a day or two. Their family will have an easier time getting them back if they stay in the neighborhood they were found.