Lost and Found Pets

No one wants to experience the terrible feeling of losing a treasured pet. Each year approximately 10,000 animals are placed in our care. Due to the high volume of animals we receive and the possibility of your animal being categorized as a different breed, we will not attempt to identify your pet over the phone.

View all Found Pets currently at the Shelter
results may include pets at shelters beyond Arlington

View all Pets reported Lost by Owners

Lost Your Pet or Found a Pet?

A lost pet can be a frightening experience for any pet parent. Immediate action is crucial, but where do you start? Follow the steps below for the best chance of a reunion.

What to Do Immediately After Your Pet Goes Missing

Walk the neighborhood: Take a walk around the immediate area and speak to any neighbors, postal service workers, landscapers, or anyone who may have seen your lost pet. You know your pet best, so look in areas that your pet may have been interested in or comfortable hiding. Most pets are found close to home.

Share their scent: Put a couple of your pet's favorite items near the most common entry ways into your home. The front door and the door into your yard would be the best locations. You can include items like their favorite bed, blanket, toys, their litterbox (if cat) and any other items they use frequently. Their scents may help them find their way home.

Next Steps

PawBoost and Petco Love Lost offer lost and found pet searches to help reunite pets with their owners. Register or look for your lost or found pet using their sites below.

Prevent Losing Your Pets

The Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) provides the following tips on preventative measures:

• When walking your dog, be sure to keep the leash looped around your wrist to prevent escape.
• Check your fence regularly to make sure it’s escape proof.
• Make sure your pet knows basic commands and practice them often. For example – if he/she starts to dart out an open door – say sit.
• Always make sure your pet’s collar fits snuggly without being too tight – this will prevent the leash and collar from slipping off during a walk.
• Have two sets of collars and tags – so if you take one off to wash it, you can put the other one on immediately. Be sure to use a cell number when you can.
• Don’t leave pets in unattended vehicles – they can easily become overheated – and well meaning people may not know how quickly you plan to return and take the animal thinking they are helping it.
• Have your pet spayed or neutered – this will help discourage them from wandering off and becoming lost.
• Check the information on your animal’s tags and make sure it’s still easy to read. Be sure to update the vet, the microchip registry, and your tags if you move or change your number.
• Never leave an animal on a chain or tether – not only is it illegal in many places – it is not a safe way to contain an animal and may lead to the animal being stolen or lost.
• Be sure to have up to date photos of your pet in case you need to identify him/her.

Helpful Information

The HSNT provides the following helpful information if you have lost a pet:

• Check with neighbors immediately.
• Don’t assume your animal still has on its tags but just in case, call the vet, microchip company, or whomever is on the tags and alert them that your friend is missing.
• Run an ad in the Star-Telegram.
• Consider magnetic signs for your car – particularly powerful if you have a large photo.
• Check this site: SPCA of Texas
• Post signs or posters in places such as:
• • Vet clinics
  • Schools
  • Laundry mats
  • Groomers
  • Dog parks
  • Be sure to check with property owners and verify posting legalities with the city code compliance ordinance.

Do not give up! Pets can sometimes be re-united in days, weeks, months or sometimes even years. If you find your pet please be sure to go back and let everyone know. This will stop you from getting inquiries and will allow shelter staff to work off of current information.

Receiving Animals

Lost animal drop-off are accepted by appointment only at this time and until further notice.

Stray intakes at the Animal Services center are worked in based on owner surrender appointments. Stray animal intakes are processed through 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, and through 3:15 p.m. on Saturdays. Holidays may affect this schedule. All animal intake is closed Monday.

Owner-surrendered animals are by appointment only. Please email intake@arlingtontx.gov and an Animal Services team member will respond as soon as possible.