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LOST & FOUND

Lost or Found a Pet? We’re Here to Help

 

Losing or finding a pet can be stressful, but acting quickly and knowing the right steps can make all the difference. Whether your cat or dog is missing—or you’ve found someone else’s pet—these tips will help reunite pets with their families as soon as possible.

Firefly_a middle aged white woman holding a dog as if she has just found it. the dog looks

If You’ve Lost a Cat or Dog

If you’re in Polk County, start by completing a Lost/Found report with Polk County Animal Control and searching for your pet on Petco Love Lost. These tools are widely used and can significantly improve your chances of a reunion.

 

If You’ve Found a Cat or Dog

Please complete a Lost/Found report with Polk County Animal Control and upload the pet’s information to Petco Love Lost so the owner can find them.

 

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Visit Local Shelters

Pets can travel far from home, so it’s important to personally visit all nearby animal shelters and animal control agencies. In Florida, animal control agencies handle stray animals. You can download a list of local pet adoption organizations for reference (provided for convenience; listings may change).

 

Act Fast

  • Post flyers near where the pet was lost or found and notify neighbors.

  • Use social media to spread the word. In Polk County, pages like Lost and Found Pets and Polk Pet Page can be helpful (not affiliated with SPCA Florida).

  • Visit local shelters and animal control agencies in person.

  • Contact nearby veterinary offices—found pets are often brought there to be scanned for microchips.

  • Check “found” ads and post a “lost” ad online or in newspapers.

  • If searching for a cat, look low and check hiding spots—they often stay close and concealed.

  • Most importantly, don’t give up.

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Why Pets Go Missing

Pets are often lost around major holidays due to loud noises like fireworks or unfamiliar costumes. Others wander because they are not spayed or neutered and are searching for a mate. Spaying or neutering reduces the urge to roam. To schedule an appointment, contact SPCA Florida’s Medical Center at 863-646-7722.

 

Help Ensure Your Pet Can Be Found

Make sure your pet:

  • Wears a current rabies tag, license tag, and ID tag with up-to-date contact information.

  • Has current contact details on file with your veterinarian.

  • Has accurate information registered with their microchip company.

 

Microchipping

If your pet isn’t microchipped, this permanent form of identification can be done at SPCA Florida’s Veterinary Clinic. A microchip—about the size of a grain of rice—is implanted under the skin and can be scanned by shelters and vets to access your contact information through a national registry.

 

Remember: Microchip registries are not updated automatically. Always update your information if you move or change phone numbers.

Microchip Registry Contacts

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24PetWatch
1-866-597-2424
http://24petwatch.com/

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Home Again Microchips
1-888-HOMEAGAIN (1-888-466-3242)
http://public.homeagain.com/

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Pet Link

(DataMars & resQ by Bayer chips)
1-877-738-5465
http://www.petlink.net/us

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Microchip Lookup Tool
http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org/

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