Dog or cat has run away – what to do?
The sooner many people know, the sooner your animal comes back. Most are found very close by.
What to do now
- Report it missing to Tasso or Findefix – and check that the chip number and phone number there are correct.
- Call the police, the municipality (lost property office), animal shelters and veterinary practices in the area.
- Post a search notice with a photo on our site and share it in neighbourhood groups.
- Dog: stay where it ran away or go back there. Put down a worn jacket, its blanket and water.
- Cat: ask neighbours to open cellars, garages and sheds. Search at dusk and at night, call quietly, rattle the food tin.
Please do not
- Do not run after a panicked dog and do not shout – that drives it further away.
- Do not send large search parties through the area while the dog is still nearby.
- Do not search too far for an indoor cat: it is usually hiding, frightened, within a few hundred metres.
Who helps
Tasso and Findefix (pet registries), animal shelters, the police – and our “Lost & found” page, where reports from the area come together.
Report an emergency Animal rescue near you
Frequent questions
My animal is not microchipped.
Then a photo and an exact description matter all the more. Once it is back: have it chipped and registered – a chip alone is no use if it is not in a registry.
Someone has seen my dog, but it will not let itself be caught.
Collect sightings, set up a feeding spot where it is seen most often, and get help. Experienced helpers work with feeding spots and live traps – please contact us.
Related
This page gives general advice. It replaces neither a vet nor legal advice.
More guides
- Wild animal foundFound a wild animal – who helps?
- Finding an emergency vetEmergency vet – how to find one at night and at the weekend
- Hedgehog foundFound a hedgehog – what to do?
- Bird foundFound a young or injured bird – what to do?
- Dog foundFound a stray dog – what to do?
- Cat turned upA cat has turned up or been found – what to do?
- Collision with wildlifeCollision with wildlife: deer or wild boar hit – what to do?
- Dog in a hot carDog in a hot car – what to do?
- Report animal crueltyReporting animal cruelty or neglect – how does it work?
- Poison bait foundFound poison bait – and what if the dog has already eaten some?
- Injured pigeonFound an injured pigeon – what to do?
- Fawn foundFound a fawn or young wild animal – what to do?
- Squirrel foundFound a squirrel – what to do?
- Bat foundFound a bat – what to do?
- Young hare foundFound a young hare or wild rabbit – what to do?
- Injured swan or duckFound an injured swan, duck or goose – what to do?
- Cat hit by a carCat hit by a car or found at the roadside – what to do?
- Abandoned animal foundFound an abandoned animal – what to do?
Spreading the word helps
Share this page – every share reaches people who can help.
The image carries a QR code to this page – for a status, a message or for printing.