Here are 4 simple tips!
Time is of the essence! DO NOT delay or assume "He'll find his way home." Your pet could be in another person's home, stuck in a garage or tool shed, or at one of the many local animal shelters. Without ID, animals are only required to be held in California shelters for THREE DAYS. With ID, animals are held for ten days, but if your pet's ID tags and/or microchip don't have your current information, they are useless. We recommend that you follow these steps to recover your lost pet.
Step One:
Check the animal shelters that provide service to your area.
View the photos posted online of the animals at that shelter
Call the shelter and make a lost report
Visit the animal shelters to see the animals. Visiting in person is critical as miscommunication can easily happen over the phone or internet.
Step Two:
If your pet is microchipped, call the microchip company to ensure it is registered and that the contact information is correct.
Do not assume that the veterinarian, breeder, or shelter that implanted the chip has registered it.
Step Three:
- Lost pet flyers can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the shelter. See below!
Often well-meaning people assume that stray pets have been abandoned, and will take them home.
Consider buying or renting a humane cage trap for a missing cat, as many frightened cats will hide close to home and not respond when called.
Step Four:
Don't give up! Some pets go missing for weeks before they are found. Pets can wander very far or be transported by well meaning people who found them, so it’s best to check all the shelters if you can, but at least check the one for your city.
Here is a list of all the animal control agencies in Santa Clara County including the cities they serve. Click LOST DOGS or LOST CATS to go directly to the page with the pictures of pets at that shelter. If you think you see your pet, contact them immediately!
Other local animal control agencies and shelters:
2750 Monterey Rd., San Jose
(408) 794-7297
Serving the Cities of San Jose, Milpitas,
Saratoga, Los Gatos & Cupertino
3370 Thomas Rd., Santa Clara
(408) 764-0344
Serving the Cities of Santa Clara, Campbell, Monte Sereno & Mountain View
3281 E. Bayshore Rd., Palo Alto
(650) 496-5971
Serving the Cities of Palo Alto, Los Altos & Los Altos Hills
(408) 846-0350
Serving the City of Gilroy
(408) 779-2101
Serving the City of Morgan Hill
(408) 730-7180
Serving the City of Sunnyvale
(831) 636-4320
Serving San Benito County