We are requiring all lost or found pet reports to be submitted through our website, using the appropriate link below. Reports will no longer be taken over the phone. Each link below will take you to a specific form, which will submit directly to a staff person who will print the report for our reference. Due to the volume of reports received, we are not able to post reports for the public to view at the shelter.
I Lost My… (pets other than cats & dogs)
I Found Someone’s… (pets other than cats & dogs)
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How To Find Your Lost Pet
Act quickly! Minnesota law requires animals only to be held for five days.
- Contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies. File a lost report with every shelter within a 60 mile radius of your home and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible. If there is no shelter in your community, contact the local police department. Provide these agencies with an accurate description and a recent photograph of your pet. Notify the police if you believe your pet was stolen. Referral List 2020 (animal control, shelters, veterinarians, etc) Impound List 2020 (cities listed)
- Search the neighborhood, and walk or drive through your neighborhood several times each day. Ask neighbors, letter carriers, and delivery people if they have seen your pet. Hand out a recent photograph of your pet and information on how you can be reached if your pet is found.
- Post flyers at grocery stores, community centers, veterinary offices, traffic intersections, and other locations. Place advertisements in newspapers and with radio stations. Include your pet’s sex, age, weight, breed, color, and any special markings. When describing your pet, leave out one identifying characteristic and ask the person who finds your pet to describe it. Be wary of pet recovery scams. When talking to a stranger who claims to have found your pet, ask him to describe the pet thoroughly before you offer any of your information. If they do not include the identifying characteristic you left out of the advertisements, they may not really have your pet. Be particularly wary of people who insist that you give or wire them money for the return of your pet.
- Post on websites geared to help reunite pets with their owners.
Don’t give up your search. Animals who have been lost for months have been reunited with their owners.
On April 15th, a stray cat was brought to NHS, and due to her unique coloring and flat Persian-like face, was recognized by Brenda, NHS Executive Director. On April 17th, “Rio” was reunited with Andrea. Andrea was unbelievably excited to get “Rio” back. “Rio” had lost a couple pounds and had a small wound on her shoulder, but overall was in great condition and happy to get to go home to snuggle on Andrea’s daughter’s bed.
This is a great reminder to anyone who loses a cat…don’t give up, miracles happen!
A pet with identification on them has a better chance of being returned, so make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and ID tag. Ask your veterinarian about getting your pet microchipped as a secondary method of identification.
If your animal has been taken to an impound facility, be sure to provide proof of ownership such as veterinary records, bill of sale, and/or photographs. Bring a leash, collar, or carrier. There will be a fee to get your animal back. The fee is based on the length of stay and any special medications or treatments the animal may have had.