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I Lost a Pet

I Lost a Pet - Now What?

Animal Services takes in stray animals found in DuPage County. If a stray animal has identification, the owner is immediately notified. Unfortunately, less than 25% of lost dogs and 1% of lost cats sheltered at Animal Services have identification. Animal Services makes every attempt to match up animal lost reports with incoming strays.

Immediately after Losing an Animal

  • Talk to neighbors and post LOST PET flyers around the area where your pet was lost.
  • Call our office at (630) 407-2800 or submit lost animal report online with 24PetConnect. Please be very specific when you enter your report so that we can easily compare the information. 
  • Review the animals in our care at least once a week by viewing our Facebook albums or scrolling to the bottom of the page. This is very important! Even if your pet was wearing tags at the time it was lost, the tags or collar may have fallen off or been removed. Also, if your pet is a mixed-breed, a very rare breed, or domestic short-haired cat, descriptions may not be sufficient to properly identify the animal. 
  • Call your police department and the police departments of all the towns surrounding you to report the animal lost. Ask them where they hold their strays and contact the stray holding facility and nearby animal controls to report your animal lost. Ask them if they post photos of stray animals to their social media or if you need to visit in person to see the animals in their care.
  • In addition to notifying police departments and animal controls of your lost pet, also call any nearby animal hospitals to notify them of your missing pet. Ask if they have a community board where you can post a lost flyer.
  • If your pet is microchipped, notify the microchip manufacturer that your pet is missing and update your contact information.
  • Watch for "found" flyers or ads in the area where your pet was lost. Respond to any that even remotely fit the description of your pet!
  • Run a LOST PET ad in the local paper with a detailed description. 
  • Add a lost pet report to missing pet websites:

Searching

Many people who find lost pets erroneously assume the animal has been abandoned, especially if it is not wearing ID tags. You need to try to reach the people who are most likely to find your pet!

Most lost pets are found within a 10-block radius of where they were lost. Saturate this area with flyers that include:

  • a photo
  • description (breed, color, sex, identifying features or markings)
  • date lost
  • major intersection closest to where animal was lost
  • your phone number.

Lost Cats

If you've lost a cat, they may be hiding nearby in a dark, quiet place. Search these areas within a two block radius. Use a flashlight to search for "eye-shine" the reflection of the cat's eyes in the dark. Lost cats may not respond to usual cues like calling or treats while in an unfamiliar environment. Cats have been known to hide for several days up to weeks before feeling safe to venture out. Learn more about searching for a lost cat. 

They may also have been "taken in" by a well-meaning neighbor. Go door-to-door within a two block radius to search for them.

Don't Give Up!

Many animals are returned to owners within a few days of being lost. However, it may take several weeks or months to find a lost pet! This is especially true for cats and animals not wearing identification.

Found Animals in DCAS Custody

  • Names listed below were often given by staff when the animal arrived at the shelter. 
  • Animals now available for adoption may be included below. View our Adoptable Animals.
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