Found a Pet?
Have you found a pet in your community? That pet may belong to someone! Please take the steps below to help us reunite the pet with a possible owner.
Found a Stray Dog or Puppy?
Use Petco Love Lost
Search the LOST listings on Petco Love Lost, the national lost and found database and register the found pet on Petco Love Lost. Pawboost is another resource you can utilize to find the pet's owner.
If you are NOT able to keep the found pet in your home:
Bring the pet to 1818 North Westmoreland Road from 11 am to 7 pm daily. Check in at the green Intake door to get in line and return to your vehicle to wait for a DAS staff member.
If you are able to keep the found pet in your home while you try to find the pet's owner:
DAS asks that residents who find friendly lost dogs schedule a time to have them vaccinated, and if possible, take them home for three days while their vaccines take effect. DAS will provide resources to help find the dog’s owner and if unsuccessful, the finder will bring the dog into DAS. Finders can make a vaccine appointment by emailing DASPetSupport@dallas.gov, visiting https://das.as.me/vaccine, or calling 214-670-6742. An appointment is not required but will reduce wait times.
Make a Found Pet Report
Submit a "Found Pet" report through 24 Pet Connect and review the pets already posted to increase your odds of a reunion. On 24 Pet Connect, enter your ZIP code in the left-hand column to get started. Those who have found loose pets are also encouraged to utilize this database system to report the found pet.
Spread the Word
Make sure to share the pet you've found on social media like Facebook and Nextdoor. You can also print and post lost pet flyers in the community you found the pet in. Often, lost pets are found very close to their home.
Check for a Microchip and/or Tags
If the pet is wearing a collar with tags, be sure to call the owner listed. If not, you can have the pet scanned for a microchip at many vet offices or pet stores. Once you have a microchip number, you can look the pet's registered information up at PetMicrochipLookup.org or by calling 1-866-597-2424 and try to make contact with the owner.
Check Local Listings
Make sure to check listings for lost pets on Craigslist, 24PetConnect and Pawboost.com for pets that may fit the same description as the pet you've found.
Found a Stray Cat?
Which cats need help, and which cats are fine on their own? Here’s how to tell:
Healthy, Friendly Adult Cats and Older Kittens
These are very likely owned animals who are simply exploring the outdoors! If they appear well fed, well groomed and friendly, chances are they belong to your neighbors. You can leave them be so they can return to their home. As only about 2% of cats taken to a shelter are recovered by their owners, DAS does not take in healthy stray cats.
Cats with Ear Tips
These are permanent outdoor cats known as community cats. Community cats are comfortable living outside and are confident hunters capable of feeding themselves. Think of them as free rodent control for your neighborhood! The ear tip is a visual indicator that they have been spayed or neutered and may also be microchipped and/or vaccinated for certain contagious diseases. Many of these cats live together in “colonies” and some local residents keep track of them to ensure they are healthy and safe. Learn more about community cats here.
Note: Do not leave out food for these cats as that can attract pests and scavengers like coyotes.
Sick, Injured or Skinny Adult Cats and Kittens
If you see a cat that appears injured, sick, or skinny, they may need medical attention and/or are unused to living outdoors. Bring them to Dallas Animal Services at 1818 North Westmoreland Road from 11 am to 7 pm daily. If you need help trapping the cat, please fill out a Service Request. Kittens looking sick, skinny or covered in fleas should also be brought to us.
Healthy Kittens
Not all kittens need help. The best place for kittens is with their mother, so before you scoop up kittens you find outdoors, it is important to determine if they’re truly orphans or if mom is hiding or hunting nearby. Mom might be scared to come back if you’re watching her nest. Try leaving a ring of flour around the kittens and checking back after a few hours to see if you can see mom’s footprints.
If mom is nearby, let her be the one to care for them until they are 8-weeks-old. Mom is their best chance of survival. After the kittens are 8-weeks-old, the DFW Kitten Network can help you make sure both mom and kittens are spayed/neutered. Learn more about how you can help kittens here.