Report Found Pets

A Guide to Helping Lost Pets Find Their Way Home

Report stray dogs in Detroit city limits to 313.922.DOGS (3647)

Detroit Animal Care & Control does not report to the police or to immigration control. Don’t hesitate to help a lost pet!

Thank you for taking the time to help a pet in need. If you feel that a stray dog may be dangerous and it is in Detroit city limits, please report it to (313) 922-DOGS immediately.

If you don’t feel the pet is dangerous, there are several steps you can take to keep it safe and help reunite it with its family. Detroit Animal Care & Control (DACC) is currently overcrowded, and we appreciate your efforts to keep animals out of the shelter.

Whether you decide to bring the pet to DACC, foster it in your home, or find other care for it, please report it to DACC. Reporting to DACC will help reunite it with its family. You can report a found pet by:

  • Taking it to the shelter and reporting it in person - we will help you make Found Pet flyers!

  • Reporting it to the Lost and Found Pets Detroit Facebook group.

If at any time you are unable to care for a found pet, please take it to DACC or contact another local animal rescue.

Help a Lost Pet Find Home

  • Approach the animal cautiously. Even friendly pets might be scared and act defensively when lost.

  • Check for any signs of injury or distress that would prevent you from moving it. If the pet is injured, contact DACC at (313) 922-DOGS (3647), another local animal rescue, or a veterinarian for assistance.

  • If the pet is willing, gently secure it with a leash or in a carrier. This prevents the animal from getting lost again or getting injured.

    If the pet is a cat and is approachable, you can use a carrier or a cardboard box to transport it securely.

  • Look for any tags with the pet's name, owner's contact number, or address. This information can help you contact the owner directly.

    If the pet doesn’t have tags, you can take it to Detroit Animal Care & Control, or any vet or animal shelter to check for a microchip. Some pets have a microchip embedded under their skin, containing owner information.

    DACC is open every day from 10:30am to 3:30pm and is located at 7401 Chrysler Dr in Detroit.

  • Even if you decide to foster the pet in your home, it is essential that you report it to DACC. Doing so will help the pet be reunited with its family. You can report to DACC in one of two ways:

    Take it to the shelter and report it in person. DACC is open every day from 10:30am to 3:30pm and is located at 1431 East Ferry St in Detroit.

    Report it to the Lost and Found Pets Detroit Facebook group.

  • Create eye-catching flyers with the following information:

    • A good picture of the pet’s face

    • Whether the pet is male or female

    • Whether the pet is intact or spayed/neutered (“fixed” or not), if you can tell

    • Date and location where you found the pet

    • Any identifying colors, features, markings, collars, and/or tags

    • Instructions for contacting you

    Distribute these flyers in your neighborhood, local stores, vet clinics, animal shelters/rescues and community centers.

    We can help you make flyers! Come down to the shelter any day between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Take pictures of your found pet.

  • In addition to the Lost and Found Pets Detroit Facebook group, there are several other online resources commonly checked by people looking for their pets:

    • 24petconnect.com has a searchable list of missing pets and allows you to post found pets.

    • Nextdoor is a neighborhood-based social media app where people often post lost and found pets. Post the pet with pictures and basic information like, sex, age, weight, whether or not they are spayed/neutered, and unique features. Check often to see if anybody has posted a lost pet notice or responded to your found pet notice.

  • If you are unable to find the owner immediately, consider providing temporary care for the pet. Ensure it has food, water, is warm, and a safe place to stay.

    Be mindful of your own pets if you have any, as the found pet might carry diseases or parasites.

  • Be cautious when talking to people claiming to be the owner. Ask for proof of ownership, such as photos or vet records, before handing over the pet.

  • If the owner doesn’t come forward within a reasonable time and you can’t incorporate the pet into your own family, consider reaching out to DACC and/or other local rescue organizations for assistance in finding the pet a new home. One resource for rehoming a pet is Rehome by Adopt a Pet.

Know What to do With Kittens

Spring is Kitten Season! Lots of kittens are found outside and in people’s yards in the spring. However, it is not always best to bring them inside. Mother cats often leave their kittens to go hunting, or she may be hiding because she sees people. A kitten’s best chance of survival is with its mother. Be sure there is no mother cat around before moving kittens. Don’t be a kit-napper! Use this handy flow chart to make sure you’re doing the right thing.