Who To Contact
Contact the Animal Control agency for your region and ask them if a pet has come in that matches your description. Some agencies require pet owners to come in person and look at lost pets. Check daily!
King County
Regional Animal Services of King County
21615 64th Ave S
Kent, WA
(206) 296-PETS (7387)
Seattle
Seattle Animal Shelter
2061 15th Ave W
Seattle, WA
206.386.PETS (7387)
Snohomish County
Everett Animal Shelter
333 Smith Island Rd.
Everett, WA
425.257.6000
Pierce County
Humane Society Tacoma & Pierce Co.
2608 Center Street
Tacoma, WA
253.383.2733
What To Do
- Hang flyers in your neighborhood. The larger and more colorful the flyer, the better. Include a large color photo to attract the most attention. Offer a reward.
- Put food and water out daily to keep your pet near home. Canned food is preferable, as dry food tends to attract wildlife (raccoons, opossums, etc.). If your cat is an ‘indoor only’ pet who has accidentally gotten outside, he or she is likely hiding and is probably closer than you think. Call him and listen for his sounds, especially after dark, when it’s quiet.
- Inquire about your pet at local veterinary clinics and ask them to post a flyer in their office.
- Post on HeLP. www.helpinglostpets.com. Share the flyer made on the site as an image and use THAT image for your first picture on Craigslist.
- Look on Petfinder.com in Found Cats or Found Dogs. Also read about Lost and Found Cats or Lost and Found Dogs.
- Look on Craigslist.org in Lost & Found and post an ad for your lost pet with as much detail as possible and color photos. Hold back some identifying info so that you can identify the real owner.
- Look around your neighborhood daily. Cats can wander into a neighbor’s basement, shed or garage, fall asleep and accidentally get shut in.
- A humane trap is often useful for recovering your lost ‘indoor only’ cat because they can be very scared and reluctant to come out from their hiding places except during very quiet times of the night, even when you are calling them. Humane traps are available for rent at some animal control agencies as well as at MEOW Cat Rescue.
- Don’t give up! Persistence is often the key. Some animals have been found after months of being missing.
More helpful information from Missing Pet Partnership
Lost Pets – Prevention
Most pet owners don’t think they will ever lose a pet. But the fact is that it happens all the time. Below are some tips to help reduce the odds that your pet will become lost and increase the odds that he/she will be found should he/she escape from your care.
- Collar, tag and microchip your pet(s)! Even if your pet doesn’t go outside, he/she should always, always, always wear a collar with an ID tag. You never know when an emergency can happen and your pet will become lost. Once outside, pets are at risk of ultimately ending up in an animal shelter long after you have stopped searching. We suggest buying a breakaway collar or a stretchy cat collar with Velcro to prevent cats from becoming snagged. Microchipping is an additional protective measure that can help bring your lost pet back home. A microchip is a device the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under your pet’s skin. It is detectable with a microchip scanner used by shelters, veterinarians and rescue groups.
- Safe transportation. This sounds basic, but many pet owners put their pets at risk with careless transportation habits. Cat carriers have been known to break open during traffic accidents. They can claw their way out of cardboard carriers or scramble their way out of their owner’s arms while being carried into the vet’s office. Cat owners put their cats at risk of permanent displacement by carrying them under their arms. Many cats become panicked when removed from their territory and exhibit atypical behavior. No matter how much your pet complains, make sure you transport him/her in a secure carrier!
- Have photos ready. Keep current, clear and color photos of your pet on hand. Many people take photos of their pets when they are kittens or puppies, but stop as the animal ages.
- New Year’s Eve and July 4th. These are two days of the year when your pet is especially at risk of escaping from your care. These holidays are notorious for repetitive fireworks, firecrackers, gun shots and other booming noises that can send pet into a frantic, frenzied panic. Be especially mindful of your pets on these holidays and make sure all doors and windows are closed and secured.