Lost and found service
Each year we reunite many lost pets with their owners through our lost and found service. If you have lost or found a stray pet we encourage you to call one of our hospitals so we can check our registry for you. We record both lost pets and found pets so that pets can be reunited with their owners as soon as possible. We also encourage pet owners to Microchip their pets (see below). Here's a few things you can do if your pet is lost.
Search your neighbourhood
Walk or drive through your neighbourhood several times a day, especially early in the morning and at dusk. Ask neighbours and their children to keep a look out.
Contact local rangers and animal shelters including...
- Your local city council ranger and surrounding councils
- Animal Welfare League - 8348 1300
- RSPCA - 83820888
- All Pets Boarding Village - 8379 1995
We encourage you to regularly visit these shelters as colours and breeds are open to personal interpretation and some can easily be confused.
Put up eye catching posters
Distribute flyers with a picture of your pet in as many public places you can think of: for example, grocery stores, churches, schools, pet stores, animal groomers, etc. Also consider letterbox dropping a smaller version to local households. Cats often seek shelter in backyard garden sheds and unknown to residents become trapped or locked in. So it is a good idea to ask owners to check locked sheds if your cat is missing.
Download our lost pet poster template here.
Place an Ad in the Paper
Place an ad in the lost and found column of local newspapers. Since many papers allow people to put "found" ads for free, check newspapers daily in case someone is trying to find you!
Check all Veterinary Clinics
If your pet was injured he or she may have been taken to a nearby veterinarian or animal hospital before being taken to an animal shelter.
Don't Give Up!
Continue to search for your pet even when there is little hope. Some animals who have been lost for months have been reunited with their owners.
Have you found a lost pet?
- Take the lost pet to a local veterinarian and ask them to scan for a microchip. If a microchip is found they will contact the national registry who will provide them with the owners details so they can be contacted.
- Notify the surrounding veterinarians as most practices will keep a log of lost and found pets.
- Notify the surrounding local councils
- Place notices in and around the area where you found the lost pet
- Advertise in the lost and found section of your local paper (this is a free service in most papers)
- Often the best place for a lost pet to be is at a shire refuge, this is because it is one of the first places owners will look for a lost pet. If you keep the lost pet at home for a week or so, some owners may give up their search effort and will never be reunited with their lost pet.
What is Microchipping?
Microchipping is a permanent form of identification for your pet. Inserting a microchip is like a vaccination, it only takes a few seconds. The procedure is very safe and your pet will feel little pain. Once done, your pet's details, and your contact address & phone numbers are entered on a national database. Find out more about Microchipping in our pet library.
What happens if your pet strays?
If your pet is ever lost, a ranger or veterinarian anywhere in Australia can scan your pet for the microchip and access your contact details.
The only way that you may not become reunited with your lost pet is if you don't contact the register when you have changed your address or contact phone numbers.
If you change address or telephone number it is your responsibility to contact the relevant Registry to update your details.
Central Animal records
Phone number 1800 333 202
www.car.com.au
Petsafe
Phone number 02 8850 6800
www.petsafe.com.au
Australasian Animal Registry
02 9704 1450 or 1800 025 461
www.aar.org.au
Why aren't pet tags sufficient identification?
Collars can fall off or be removed & details on pet tags can fad or become outdated. Ownership of your pet can be challenged if your pet has been stolen & then later recovered. Microchipping is the only way you can prove ownership of your pet.
How do I have my pet microchipped?
Microchips are inserted at Veterinary clinics. Please contact us for more detail on prices.