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Lost or found a pet?

See our helpful advice on what to do if you have lost a pet or found one

What to do if you have lost your pet

We understand that losing your pet can be a very stressful and emotional experience and we know you will want to do everything you can to find them. We would love nothing more than for you to be reunited with your beloved pet so would always recommend following the steps and advice below.

Report Your Pet Missing Form

All Species

  • Call your local RSPCA rehoming/rescue centre
  • Register with a/multiple reputable lost/found online database
  • Report to your Microchip database
  • Call around all local vets to notify them and ask to be added to their lost/found records
  • Spread the word
  • Check areas your pet is familiar with

Call your local RSPCA rehoming/rescue centre

Many rescue centres will have a lost/found database, where they can register your details and keep them in case a match is found. Some local centres are listed below, or try an online search engine, ask around, look in local newspapers for alternative options.

RSPCA Eau Brink, King’s Lynn

RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre, March

Cats Protection, Downham Market

Dogs Trust, Snetterton

Register with a/multiple reputable lost/found online database

Pets Reunited

https://www.petsreunited.com

Offer free registration and have a huge online database where you can register your lost pet, as well as search through the ‘found’ pets listed in your area. They will also generate and email you a ‘lost’ poster, for free, that you can print and pin up around your local area.

Animal Search UK

https://animalsearchuk.co.uk

Offer free registration and have a huge online database where you can register your lost pet, as well as search through the ‘found’ pets listed in your area. They will also notify you with new updates in your area regarding lost/found pets.

Report to your Microchip database

This will place a ‘red-flag’ on your pet’s microchip record, meaning anyone that searches the microchip number such as a vet or dog-warden can see that he/she has been reported as lost.

This will stop someone being able to try and change the details on your pets’ microchip while they are lost.

This is also a good opportunity to ensure your contact details are up to date should someone find your pet and try to contact you.

Some common UK microchip databases and their telephone numbers are listed below:

​P​lease also remember to update them if your pet becomes found again.

Call around all local vets to notify them and ask to be added to their lost/found records

Call us on 01553 771457 to file a ‘lost report’ with a member of our friendly team. This will be kept on our system for 3 months to check against should we have any ‘found’ pets brought in to the practice.

If your pet has been injured or taken ill, they may have been taken to a local vet so it is always worth giving any in the area a call.

Spread the word

Check local social media groups as these can be a valuable source of possible sightings and spread the word about your missing pet.

Share on social media sites.

Put up posters in shops, pubs, vets, notice boards, etc in the area local to where your pet went missing. Remember to put them in plastic sleeves so they are protected from the rain.

As mentioned previously, PetsReunited will create a poster free of charge after you register your pet on their site. Battersea Dog and Cat rescue have a link on their website to create a ‘missing poster’ that you can print as many times as you like.

Check areas your pet is familiar with

Ensure to check, and check again, areas around the home that they could be hiding.

Search areas you would normally take your pet for a walk, or if you’ve moved house ask around your old address.

Take items from home with you as they will carry a familiar scent, and these or sounds (squeakers from toys/whistles) may entice your pet out from it’s hiding place.

Food can be used to encourage your pet to come to you.

Ask your neighbours to check sheds/garages and other outbuildings in case your pet has become trapped. If there are local building sites or workers, ask them to have a look around also.

If you suspect your pet has been stolen, report it to the police on a non-emergency line.

Dogs Only

It is important you contact your local councils dog warden service.

Your council’s local dog warden service will collect any stray dogs wandering the streets if reported and so it is vital this is a first point-of-call, as often if an owner does not claim the dog within a set timeframe, they will be passed on to a rehoming centre. 

For The Borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council visit: https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/info/20094/animals_and_pests/403/lost_and_stray_dogs OR go to King’s Lynn Council website via a search engine and search lost/stray dogs in the search bar.

You will need to click the link ‘report a lost dog’ where you will then be expected to submit an online form, from there someone may contact you.

Check the ‘found dogs list’ on the council website for a potential match.

What to do if you have found a stray dog or cat

Depending on the species, circumstances and condition of a stray pet, will depend on the steps you should take to deal with it appropriately. Please read through the advice below to find the most suitable procedure you should follow should you find a stray pet.

Register with a/multiple reputable lost/found online database.

A couple of examples are below:

PetsReunited

https://www.petsreunited.com/

Offer free registration and have a huge online database where you can register your lost pet, as well as search through the ‘lost’ pets listed in your area. They will also generate and email you a poster, for free, that you can print and pin up around your local area.

Animal Search UK

https://animalsearchuk.co.uk/

Offer free registration and have a huge online database where you can register your lost pet, as well as search through the ‘found’ pets listed in your area. They will also notify you with new updates in your area regarding lost/found pets.

Cat Rescue Centres

Cat Rescue Centres in Norfolk

FAQ's

  • Should you come across a healthy stray dog, the most important step to take is to notify your councils local dog warden service.

     

    For The Borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council visit: https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/info/20094/animals_and_pests/403/lost_and_stray_dogs OR go to King’s Lynn Council website via a search engine and search lost/stray dogs in the search bar.

     

    From this page you can access a ‘lost dogs list’ where you can search for a potential match in order to reunite this pet with its owner.

     

    If you are unable to see a likely match to the dog you have found, you will need to click the ‘report a stray dog’ link. You will then be asked to complete a submission form which will ask you for some details about the dog you have found and a location they can collect it from. From here, the dog warden will be alerted and they will arrange to come and collect the stray dog. Please note: The dog must be contained and must not be running loose or the dog warden will not collect it.

     

    You may take the dog to your local vet to be scanned for a microchip, however, it is not guaranteed that they will be able to contact the owner and due to data protection laws, they will be unable to provide you with any microchip details they find. Also, if like us they cannot provide boarding for stray dogs, you may be directed to the dog warden anyway. It is always recommended to contact the veterinary practice prior to presenting the patient.

     

    Call to notify as many local vets as possible so they are able to file a ‘found report’ on their system. Many vets will keep these details on their system to check against if any owners call to notify them of a lost dog. At Mill House, we keep these details for 3 months. Please call us on 01553 771457 to speak to a member of our friendly team.

     

    Spread the word

     

    • Check local social media groups as these can be a valuable source to locate posts reporting the dog as missing and hopefully enable you to get in contact with the stray dog’s owner.

     

    • Share on social media sites.

     

    • Put up posters in shops, pubs, vets, notice boards, etc in the area local to where you found the dog. Remember to put them in plastic sleeves so they are protected from the rain. As mentioned previously, PetsReunited will create a poster free of charge after you register a pet on their site.

  • Avoid feeding it, this will only encourage it to keep coming back, even if it has an owner!

     

    You may take the cat to your local vet to be scanned for a microchip, however, it is not guaranteed that they will be able to contact the owner and due to data protection laws, they will be unable to provide you with any microchip details they find. Also, if like us they cannot provide boarding for stray cats, you may be directed to return the cat to where you found it. It is always recommended to contact the vet prior to presenting the patient at their practice.

     

    At Mill House, we can provide you with a ‘Stray Cat Pack’ which will include lots of information and advice on what to do with the stray cat next. It also includes a Cats Protection paper collar to place onto the cat, so if it is owned and goes home, the owner can notify you that it is not a stray and you no longer need to worry. If the collar is still in place after a set timeframe, the CP will be able to advise you as necessary.

     

    Spread the word

     

    • Check local social media groups as these can be a valuable source to locate posts reporting the cat as missing and hopefully enable you to get in contact with the stray cat’s owner.

     

    • Share on social media sites.

     

    • Put up posters in shops, pubs, vets, notice boards, etc in the area local to where you found the cat. Remember to put them in plastic sleeves so they are protected from the rain. As mentioned previously, PetsReunited will create a poster free of charge after you register a pet on their site.

     

    • Call your local RSPCA rehoming/rescue centre.

     

    • Many rescue centres will have a lost/found database, where they can register your details and keep them in case a match is found. Some local centres are listed below, or try an online search engine, ask around, look in local newspapers for alternative options. The Cats Protection may be able to help you if they consider rehoming the cat is the most suitable option.

     

     

     

     

    • Visit the RSPCA or Cats Protection website for further advice relating to stray or feral cats. Dealing with stray cats is not always as straightforward as dealing with a stray dog as due to their nature, they are often found to be free-roaming.

     

  • I have found a stray pet that I deem unhealthy, injured, distressed or suffering an illness?

     

    If you find an injured or ill stray dog, cat, rabbit or other species please visit the RSPCA website to find the most suitable advice relating to the species and condition of the patient you have found. They have lots of advice for various circumstances relating to stray animals.

     

    Alternatively, for any urgent enquiries relating to an animal that is sick, injured or distressed please contact the National RSPCA Call Centre on 0300 1234 999 to seek the best course of action.

     

    It is important to obtain an RSPCA log number PRIOR to presenting the patient at our hospital. These can only be obtained by calling the number above. By doing so, we are provided with limited funding to treat the animal and the RSPCA can file a report.

     

    Please call us on 01553 771457 PRIOR to presenting the patient at our hospital so we can ensure we have a vet available to assess and treat the patient if necessary.

     

    For any injured or ill wildlife, please be directed to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in East Winch.

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