I Found a Lost Pet

Check the pet for Identification.

If you’re lucky, their collar or tag will indicate their owner’s contact information. If a dog has a New York State license tag, call the town or city clerk or the animal control agency in the town or city where the dog was found. If the animal isn’t wearing tags, you are required by law to notify animal control in the town or city where the animal was found.

Many microchip and other registrations provide tags that have contact information to help reunite pets with their families.

Contact all nearby shelters, animal control agencies, and veterinarians.

• Rochester Animal Services
• Humane Society of Wayne County
• Humane Society of Ontario County
• Town of Perinton
• Town of East Rochester
  

Check the Chip.

To check if the pet is microchipped, you can take them to a local veterinarian or animal control agency to be scanned. (Make sure to call first to confirm that this will be possible.) You can also bring them to Lollypop Farm to be scanned for a microchip.

Put up “found” posters in your neighborhood.

• Pet FBI provides an easy template to create found posters.

Here are some other helpful tips:

• You can also get permission to post flyers and posters at veterinarian offices, groomers, pet-supply stores, supermarkets, and libraries. Make them clear and readable, and include “FOUND DOG” or “FOUND CAT” in large letters.
• To help you to later determine if a person who contacts you is the pet’s true guardian, leave out one descriptive detail.
• For signs on the street, make sure that drivers can read them easily; a large poster board works best.
• Laminate your signs to weather-proof them.
• Be on the lookout for “lost” posters and flyers, too.

Post a “found pet” listing on social media, online lost and found sites, and in local newspaper(s).

Include the pet’s appearance, breed, sex, age, and date found, as well as your contact information and a good photo. Don’t forget to read the “lost” postings, too.

Local Listings

• Lollypop Spotters
• Rochester Dogs Lost and Found
• Lost, Found, Missing Pets Rochester NY and surrounding areas
• Lost Dogs of the Finger Lakes
• Frank Vaccaro – “Found Stray Missing Cats” – cats only
• Monroe County New York Lost & Found Pets
• Democrat and Chronicle – paid listing
• Genesee Valley Pennysaver
• Bugsy’s Animal Network – free listing plus a list of local resources, including lost & found Facebook groups

National Listings And Services

• Finding Rover – facial recognition search and free listing
• PawBoost – free listing and alert service
• Pet FBI – free listing and resources
• Petango – free listing
• Pet Amber Alert – paid alert service
• FindToto – paid alert service and free resources

If you are unable to find the pet’s guardian and you are unable to keep them, contact your local animal control or humane society for assistance. 

More tips and resources:

• • For cats: Once you’re done checking for a microchip and filling out a Found Pet Report, feel free to print this paper collar out to put on the cat you’ve found. This will help you determine if the cat has a home or caretaker nearby.
  • Join our Lollypop Spotters Facebook Page for Lost and Found Pets!
    Be part of the community helping to reunite lost pets and their families, or post your own lost or found pets.
  • www.catinatreerescue.com. offers a directory by state of services that may help if a cat is stuck in a tree. They also have helpful tips on how to coax a cat down from a tree.

Did you Find Kittens?

• When finding kittens seemingly by themselves, your first instinct may be to bring them home with you or to an animal shelter. The steps you take and how urgently these pets need you to intervene though, may depend on a number of factors.

Questions?

Contact Lollypop Farm at (585) 223-1330 or by email.