HELP! I Found A Lost Pet!
We have put together some resources to help reunite pets and their families. If you lost a pet or found a stray,
please keep in mind that most lost pets remain close to home. Immediately hang flyers in your area, alert
neighbors, and post on Facebook and other social media community pages.
IF YOU FIND A LOST PET AND YOU WANT TO HELP REUNITE
THEM WITH THE OWNER ...
If you find a stray animal, you can take it to a vet clinic or Chicago Animal Care and Control to check
for a microchip and try to find the owner. CACC is happy to assist with scanning for microchips daily
between 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. without an appointment.
Next, go to helpinglostpets.com to create a lost pet profile. Please consider fostering the animal to give the
owner time to find the pet. Lost pets typically stay close to home so fostering them where they are found helps
get pets home. In addition, you can help to find the pet's owner via social media by posting flyers
(helpinglostpets.com) on pages like Lost Dogs Illinois, Lost Cats Illinois or other community sites. If you can't
keep the pet, please email VisitCACC@cityofchicago.org or call 312-747-1406 with your name, phone number,
and a brief description of the animal and a staff member will follow up with you.
CATS Most of the cats you see outside are best left where they are. Cats wandering outside are usually not far
from their homes and are unlikely to be lost. A cat that is not injured, ill or in imminent danger is unlikely to
need assistance. If you find a cat ill, injured, or in immediate danger, call 3-1-1 or visit 311.CHICAGO.GOV.
Bring the cat to CACC: 2741 S. Western Ave. (12 P.M. - 7 P.M.) Read more here
KITTENS When we find a litter of kittens, our good-hearted instincts tell us to jump in and help. Thankfully,
human intervention is typically not required. If the kittens are not ill, injured, or in immediate danger, the best
thing you can do is to leave them alone. Mother cats may leave their litters for several hours while looking for
food or avoiding humans. Mom will likely return shortly, and it's critical that the kittens remain in her care as
she offers the best chance for their survival. Read more here
DOGS
● Lost Dogs Illinois
● Helping Lost Pets
● Microchip Research
● PAWS Chicago
● Lost Dogs of America
● PetFBI
● Lost Dog Action Plan
IF YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE A LOST PET AT CHICAGO ANIMAL
CARE & CONTROL...
Dogs that arrive at CACC without a tag, microchip, or other forms of identification will be available for adoption
and transfer to rescue after 3 full days of viewing on petharbor.com/chicago and at the shelter. Cats
impounded without tags, microchip or other forms of identification will simultaneously be marketed for
redemption to owner, adoption, and transfer to rescue as soon as they arrive. We strongly encourage owners
to microchip and tag their pets.
To view which lost pets are at the city shelter, check the photographs at petharbor.com/chicago. In petharbor,
click on Lost Dogs or Lost Cats and proceed through the list of animals. Animals brought into the shelter are
updated at 10 minutes past each hour. If someone sees a pet resembling their lost pet, they should write down
the Animal ID number. Email the Animal ID number to VisitCACC@cityofchicago.org or call 312-747-1406 with
their name, phone number and description of the animal and a staff member will contact them with the next
steps.
To redeem a lost pet, a valid photo ID and proof of ownership (vet records, purchase receipt, or pictures of the
pet) must be provided. Per chapter 7-12-120 of the municipal code of the City of Chicago, the Department shall
charge and collect a redemption fee of $65.00 for the release of the animal from the Animal Control Center.
This fee will include an updated rabies vaccination (if required), a microchip (if required), spay or neuter
surgery (if required) and City Dog License (if required). Payment is accepted in the form of cash (exact amount
required), personal check or credit/debit card.
MORE LOST/FOUND PET RESOURCES
Lost Dogs Illinois
Register your pet and create your free flyer: helpinglostpets.com. Search and post about a dog at
https://lostdogsillinois.org/ and @LostDogsIllinois on Facebook.
Lost Cats Illinois
Register your pet and create your free flyer: helpinglostpets.com. Search and post about a cat at
@LostCatsIllinois on Facebook.
LOST312
Text the word "LOST" to 1-855-LOST312 to get instructions on how to find a lost pet. LOST312 is offered in
English and Spanish. Lost312 YouTube Video
Finding Rover
This site lets you upload a photo of a lost or found pet and uses facial recognition software to match it with a
database of animals. Register your pet today with Finding Rover
AGENCIES APPROVED TO TAKE IN STRAYS
In addition to CACC, these agencies can take in stray animals within the city of Chicago. Please contact them
directly for hours and fees.
Animal Welfare League 6224 S. Wabash Ave 773.667.0088 www.animalwelfareleague.com
Tree House (cats only) 7225 N. Western Ave. 773.262.4000 www.treehouseanimals.org
Garrido Stray Rescue www.garridostrayrescue.org 773.416.4111
Harmony House for Cats 2914 N. Elston Ave. 773.293.6103 www.hhforcats.org
