Is Your Pet Lost?
To download our informational handout, please click here.
Take these 4 steps to have the best chance at bringing your pet home safely
- File a lost report with ARL, either in person or over the phone. This lost report is seen by all three ARL locations. The staff will ask you to e-mail or bring in a photo of your pet.
- Call the local Animal Control Officer of the town where your pet lives, and of the town that your pet went missing in.
- Contact your pet’s microchip company, if your pet has one, to notify them that your pet is lost. Be sure to confirm that your contact information is current.
- Contact other local organizations, such as the MSPCA at (617) 522-5055 or North Shore Animal Hospital at (781) 596-0510.
Other helpful tips:
- Search and post on Craigslist.com, and social media
- Search online groups that compile lost and found reports, such as:
- Ask neighbors to check their garages and sheds in case your pet was accidentally locked inside.
- Speak with postal carriers, utility workers, or anyone else who frequents your neighborhood.
- Post flyers with photos of your missing pet around your neighborhood. Bring these flyers to local veterinary clinics.
Remember to never chase a pet that is in “flight mode”
If your pet is running away from you, the sound of yelling, heavy breathing, and loud footsteps will only encourage them to increase their speed – and pay less attention to their surroundings (i.e., speeding cars). For tips on how to deal with panicked pets that may need to be trapped, contact ARL Field Services at (617) 426-9170, then press “1”.
For more information, call the Animal Rescue League of Boston at (617) 426-9170