Search for Your Lost Pet

To reclaim your pet from Austin Animal Center

1. You must visit Austin Animal Center to reclaim your pet.
2. Bring proof of ownership like vet records or a photo ID of your pet to reclaim. You will also need your photo ID. We accept Driver's license, US or International passport, Government or other official photo identification, and Mexican Consulate Cards.

If you’ve lost your pet 

1. Visit the Austin Animal Center to search for your lost pet. Animals are held only three days so be sure to visit as quickly as possible and come once per day to look for your missing pet.
2. Search for your lost pet in our online database. Organize by 'Days In Shelter' by clicking that category heading.
3. View the Found Pet Map, which updates hourly.
4. Visit and join the Austin Lost and Found Pets Facebook page to post photos and information about your pet.
5. Post and search for your lost pet on Nextdoor.com and Craigslist in the Community section under Lost & Found and Pets.
6. Check surrounding animal shelters where your pet may have been taken. Some well-meaning people may pick up your dog or cat and take it to the closest shelter, which may not be Austin Animal Center!

Tips for finding your lost pet:

• Start searching immediately.
• Create and distribute flyers and post signs in high traffic areas. Please ensure that your flyers and signs do not violate City of Austin sign regulations. For display and design tips, click here.
• Distribute flyers in vet clinics, pet stores, groomers, pet boarding facilities and other local businesses.
• Don’t give up too quickly. Some lost pets are found within hours or days and others are found months or even years after disappearing. Don’t give up hope!

If you’ve found a pet

1. Submit a Found Animal Report by calling 311 or use the Austin 311 app.
2. With this report, the pet will then be listed in our online database for two weeks. If you have not found the pet's owner in two weeks, please submit a new report.
3. Take the found pet to a veterinarian, emergency animal hospital or your area animal shelter to have the pet’s entire body scanned for a microchip. Microchips can migrate in the pet’s body.
4. Visit and join the Austin Lost and Found Pets Facebook page to post photos and information about your pet.

If you can, please keep the animal secure and safe in your home while searching for the owner. Our shelter operates at capacity and has very little room for new animals coming in. 

If you cannot keep the pet in your home or the animal is injured, you can bring it to the Austin Animal Center Monday through Friday, 11am to 7pm or Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm.

Unique or Exotic Pets and Wildlife

Austin Animal Center takes in all types of unique pets, not just dogs and cats. Found, unique pets, exotics, farm animals and injured wildlife are brought to the shelter as well. Wildlife is sometimes transferred to Austin Wildlife Rescue. Please check our online database and select ‘Other’ to search for animals other than dogs and cats.