Lost Pet Resources
Losing your pet isn’t something we ever want to experience, but sometimes, accidents happen. When your pet is lost, what do you do?
Basic Instructions
Look Around
Sometimes your pet isn’t far from home. Pets, especially cats, can find great hiding places inside your home. Make sure you’ve checked all over your home, including places you’d never expect them to be. If you don’t find them inside, start checking your property, yard, building, etc. Check with neighbors you trust to see if they have seen your pet. Look under sheds, porches, cars, bushes, etc.
Flyers/Post/Share
Don’t wait! Share to the world that your pet is missing. Flyers are a great place to start and are VERY IMPORTANT! Include minimal information so that flyers are easy to read. Make sure they are bright and include a picture to catch attention.
Call local vets in your area to let them know you lost your pet. Call your local shelter to file a lost report. If you have social media, utilize it! Post your lost pet on local lost and found pages on Facebook. Use NextDoor to share with your neighborhood. Let local delivery drivers and mail carriers know too. They canvas your neighborhood more than most. Ask your neighbors to be on the look out for your pet.
To download an editable copy of this flyer, click here.
Additional Help
Many people are not aware that there are groups and resources out there to help reunite you with your lost/missing pet. Some are free and some are not. Visit the sites below to learn more about additional help available to you.
(SCTNR is not affiliated with any of the third party resources listed below.)
Detailed Instructions
Immediately start putting food & water out near where your pet got out. Do NOT put their litter box outside. This can cause other animals to enter the area and drive your cat farther from home. A clothing trial is a better option.
Is your cat's microchip registered and reported missing? - Go to found.org to make sure the microchip is registered and your contact information is up to date. Once you've verified that the microchip is registered and your contact information is correct, please report the animal missing. To do this email registryhelp@found.org. For more information and other tips please visit:
https://www.foundanimals.org/microchip-registry/support-center/pet-owners/lost-found-pets/ If your pet was microchipped, the microchip information can be found on your adoption paperwork or your veterinary records. If you adopted your cat from us, it is microchipped.
Have you posted flyers in the neighborhood? - A sample flyer is shown on this page. Flyers are VERY important!! Flyers should be printed and posted all over your neighborhood. They remind your neighbors on a regular basis that your cat is missing. Please don't skip this very important step! Bright colors and cute pictures help to grab the attention of those passing by. Walk around your neighborhood on a regular basis talking to all the neighbors and handing them a copy of the flyer. Don't forget about kids; they can be very helpful in your search.
Have you reported your cat missing to the local shelters? - Lost cats should be reported to:
Humane Society of Harford CountyBaltimore County Animal Services
Cecil County Animal Services - email ccasinfo@ccgov.org
It is also a good idea to visit the shelter in person to see if your animal is there.
Do you have a surveillance system? If so, check it regularly. If your neighbors have a surveillance system, give them your flyer and consider asking them to be on the look out for your pet. If you or someone you know has a trail cam or other portable camera that they are willing to lend to you, use it to help you in your search. If there is a sighting of your cat, set up a feeding station and try to trap him or her. Don't forget to check Ring doorbell cameras; they can pick up passing animals as well.
Have you posted your missing cat to Facebook? Share the missing flyer you created to your Facebook page. Be sure to alert your friends, family and neighbors about your missing pet. If you belong to community pages or groups on Facebook, or other social media apps such as Next Door, share to them as well. Be sure to include how much you love and miss your pet and any special requirements your pet has, such as required medication.
Here is a list of local lost & found pages on Facebook where you can post your missing pet and look for found animals:
Lost Pets of Harford CountyHarford Co, MD. LOST & FOUND Pets
HarCo Pets Lost, Found, Need Homes
Lost&Found Pets In Harford+Cecil County (Md)
Lost Animals in Harford County
Lost and Found Cats of Harford County. And surrounding areas
Missing and Found Cats of Harford County
AWW For the love of pets lost in Harford County
If you are not already a member please join ASAP and post your missing pet. Try to interact as much as possible with people commenting on or sharing your post. The more comments, the more likely your post will show up in someone's newsfeed. Post as often as the group allows, for as long as your pet is missing. Once found, remember to share the good news and update or delete the missing pet posts.
Have you called local veterinarian offices to see if your pet was turned in there? Your pet could have been found sick/injured and taken to a local vet. Here is a list of area veterinarians:
Animal Emergency Hospital: (410) 420-7297
Aberdeen Veterinary Clinic: (410) 272-0655
Aberdeen Holistic Veterinary Medical Association: (410) 569-0795
Animal Care Center and Pet Resort: (410) 676-2525
Animal Medical Center: (410) 420-6555
Banfield Pet Hospital (Abingdon): (410) 569-2001
Banfield Pet Hospital (Bel Air): (410) 638-9832
Bel Air Veterinary Hospital: (410) 838-4900
Cambria Veterinary Center: (410) 399-0344
Cat Sense Feline Hospital & Boarding Inc: (410) 420-0535
Chadwell Animal Hospital: (443) 512-8338
Churchville Veterinary Clinic: (410) 538-2855
Creswell Veterinary Clinic: (410) 734-6262
Edgewood Veterinary Clinic: (410) 676-7800
Fallston Veterinary Clinic: (410) 803-9588
Festival Veterinary Clinic: (410) 569-7387
Forest Hill Veterinary Clinic: (410) 838- 6788
Fountain Green Veterinary Center: (410) 836-5335
Friendly Paws Vet Clinic: (410) 272-8656
Greenbrier Veterinary Clinic: (410) 670-5042
Hickory Veterinary Hospital: (410) 838-7797
Homeward Bound Mobile Vet: (443) 617-9836
Jarrettsville Veterinary Center: (410) 692-6171
Madonna Veterinary Clinic: (410) 557-8841
Pleasantville Animal Hospital of Fallston: (410) 877-3838
Rock Spring Veterinary Clinic: (410) 838-6960
Shawsville Veterinary Hospital: (410) 329-6996
Swan Creek Veterinary Clinic: (410) 942-9036