Found a pet? Start here.

Finding a lost pet can leave you wondering what to do next. Your first actions can make an enormous difference in helping that animal get safely home.

Before assuming a pet was abandoned or has no family, remember: sometimes animals that are found wandering are simply lost — and someone may be desperately searching for them.

1. Get the Pet to Safety

If you can safely do so, move the animal away from traffic or other immediate dangers. (Note: Having spare towels, a few paper towels, bottled water, folded paper bag for trash, and even rubber gloves in your trunk are great tools to have in case of any emergency).

Keep the found pet secure and separated from your own pets, particularly until you know more about the animal’s health and behavior.

2. Check for Identification

Look for a collar, identification tag or other information that could lead you directly to the owner.

No ID? Have the pet scanned for a microchip. A veterinary clinic, animal shelter or other organization with a microchip scanner may be able to help. A registered microchip could reunite the pet with its family very quickly.

3. Look Close to Where the Pet Was Found

Don’t assume the animal traveled a long distance. Take photos and video of the area and the pet right away. This will help in many cases.

Ask neighbors, nearby businesses, security personnel and others in the immediate area whether they recognize the pet. The owner may live only a few houses or blocks away. If you live in the area and are willing to go the extra step to reunite the pet with their owner, take photos and create flyers.

4. Report the Pet was Found

If you found a pet dog or cat in Miami-Dade County, it is important to notify Miami-Dade Animal Services and have the animal scanned for a microchip within 72 hours.

Use the County’s Found Pet Report to provide information about the animal and help connect the pet with their family.

“What if the County says it’s a stray or community cat?” This is where it gets tricky. If the cat is friendly, it could be a pet or friendly community cat. A managed colony of cats can have a regular feeder. If the ear is tipped (where one ear has the tip sliced off–it means the cat is spayed/neutered and may be a community cat).

If the County insists to leave the cat in the area and you feel the cat is friendly and could use a home, you can reach out to nonprofit animal/pet organizations. However, getting through by phone for a nonprofit rescue or shelter can be extremely difficult. Some rescues are small efforts where volunteers have full-time jobs and regular jobs and volunteer their free time to help animals. Others are larger with more resources. Try email next. If you do not receive an immediate response, this is where Facebook is very helpful.

IMPORTANT INSIGHT –FACEBOOK as a Valuable TOOL

Facebook can be surprisingly helpful when trying to connect with local animal rescuers. Search Facebook for terms such as “animal rescue groups in [city or neighborhood]” and look for local rescue, lost-and-found pet, community cat, and neighborhood groups. Some groups are private, so you may need to request membership before posting. Post in the COMMENTS to get immediate attention.

Photos and videos are extremely important. A clear photo—and especially a short video showing the animal’s personality, condition or behavior—can generate far more attention than text alone. Briefly explain how and where you found the animal, what you have already done to help, and what kind of assistance you are seeking.

For safety, never post the animal’s exact location or your home address publicly. Give only a general area or neighborhood. More specific information can be shared privately with a legitimate rescue or trusted individual when necessary.

Be clear about what you can and cannot realistically do. If you can temporarily keep the animal, say so. If you cannot, say that too. If you have a genuine deadline—such as returning home, traveling, or being unable to continue temporary care—state it clearly. Rescue is often a matter of coordinating volunteers, foster homes, transportation and appointments, so the more clearly you communicate your situation, the easier it is for others to determine how they might help.

A word of caution: Animal rescue groups can be filled with wonderfully passionate people, but that passion sometimes leads to strong opinions or judgment about what someone “should” do. Don’t let that discourage you. You may receive more advice than you can realistically follow. Stay polite, keep your post focused, and be honest about your limitations and your desire to help the animal.

And remember: some of those passionate individuals are exactly the people you hope to reach. They may foster, volunteer with rescues, know local trappers or veterinarians, or have direct connections to organizations that can help. One knowledgeable person sharing your post with the right contact can make all the difference.

Report & Search for the Pet Online

Don’t rely on just one lost-and-found service. Report the pet and search existing lost-pet listings in several places to increase the chances of finding the owner.

5. Help the Family Find You

Post a clear, recent photo of the pet and the general location where the animal was found on lost-and-found pet websites, neighborhood groups and local social media.

Don’t reveal every identifying detail. If someone claims the pet, ask them to provide identifying information, additional photos, veterinary records or another reasonable form of proof that the animal belongs to them.

Continue checking lost-pet posts regularly. The pet’s family may have posted in a different neighborhood or on a different platform than you did.

6. Can You Keep the Pet Safe Temporarily?

If you are able to safely care for the pet while searching for the owner, even for a few days, you may be giving that animal valuable time to be reunited with their family.

Keep the pet secure and separated from your own animals while you continue searching for the owner. Provide fresh water, appropriate food and a safe, quiet place to rest.

Continue checking lost-pet reports and responding to possible matches. Don’t assume that no response in the first day or two means no one is looking. It can take time for a family to find your post or for information to reach them.

If you cannot keep the pet, don’t panic. There are other options to explore.

7. Can’t Keep the Pet?

If you cannot safely keep the pet, don’t abandon the animal or simply give them away to someone you don’t know. There are other options to explore.

Contact Miami-Dade Animal Services for information about current intake procedures and available options. You can also reach out to local rescue organizations to ask whether assistance, foster placement or other resources may be available.

Keep in mind that rescues and foster homes often operate with limited space and resources, so they may not be able to take the animal immediately. Providing clear photos, the location where the pet was found, temperament information and how long you are able to keep the pet can help others determine how they may be able to assist.

If possible, continue keeping the pet safe while you search for the owner and explore available options.

If the animal is injured, seriously ill or in immediate danger, seek urgent help. During business hours, please contact Miami Dade Animal Services by dialing 311 and they will attempt to pick up the injured dog or cat. Also contact VEG 786-539-0339 as they are sometimes known to help dogs and cats brought in by Good Samaritans. Be sure to share that you are not the owner and found the severely injured animal and that you can not afford vet care but want to do the right thing. Be clear if they will treat at the animal at no cost to you. VEG is a 24 hour emergency vet clinic.