Lost/Found

Click each button to view the each type of animal at the shelter who arrived as a stray.

View Stray Cats                                View Stray Dogs                           View Stray Small Pets

Cats Found by the Public       Dogs Found by the Public       Small Pets Found by the Public

Step 1 - Update your pet's microchip information

If you know the type of microchip your pet has, contact the company to update your contact information and report your pet is lost. If your pet has a microchip, but you don't know the type, call your veterinarian and ask, OR if the animal was adopted from an animal shelter, call the shelter.

Step 2 - Search online found pet registries

Look on these websites for your pet and post that your pet is lost. Check these sites continuously.

24PetConnect     Petco Love Lost     Iowa Pet Alert     Nextdoor     Facebook Lost Pet Groups

Step 3 - File a lost report on our website

We are able to accept lost animal reports 24/7/365. These reports are emailed to our entire animal shelter and animal control team, and reports are posted online for the public to see as well.

We highly, highly encourage you to attach a photo of your pet to your their lost report. Even if it's not a great picture, it can help make your lost report stand out, and help us better match up the markings on any found animals with your pet's photo.

Click here to report your missing pet

Step 4 - Contact other nearby shelters

Some people take stray animals they found to their community instead of leaving them at the shelter closest to where the pet was found. While we always encourage people who find stray animals to take them to their nearest shelter, this isn't always the case. It's always a good idea to contact every shelter you can within a reasonable distance. You can use the button below to see the shelters nearest you.

Use this Google Maps Search to See Nearby Animal Shelters

These videos contain lots of fantastic information to help you find your missing pet.

Click the photos below to view reports owners have made to our agency for their missing pets.

Cats Reported Missing              Dogs Reported Missing              Small Pets Reported Missing 

Step 1 - After securing the animal, check for an ID tag or microchip

Bringing a found animal into your home can pose risks to you and your household. As a precaution, keep all pets separate and wash hands after handling the found animal.

If there is no tag, the animal may still have a microchip. Take the animal to a local veterinarian or animal shelter to be scanned for a microchip. Contact the owner if info is found.

Step 2 - If there is no ID or microchip, begin searching lost pet posts on the following sites

Look on these websites for your pet and post that your pet is lost. Check these sites continuously.

24PetConnect     Petco Love Lost     Iowa Pet Alert     Nextdoor     Facebook Lost Pet Groups

Step 3 - Post a notice online or make fliers

If possible, take a photo of the pet and post fliers in the area where the pet was found. Also distribute the fliers to local veterinary clinics. Make lost-pet posts online at:

24Petconnect    Petco Love Lost    Iowa Pet Alert    Nextdoor.com    Pawboost    Facebook Lost Pet Pages

Step 4 - Contact other nearby shelters

Most lost pets are found near their home, so it's very likely the pet you found lives nearby. If you must bring the pet in immediately, contact your local lost pet facility. To find your local animal sheltering agency, contact the area's law enforcement to find out who has the animal sheltering contract for that area, or use the button below to find shelters in your area.

Use this Google Maps Search to See Nearby Animal Shelters 

Step 1: Are the kittens injured?

• Yes - Call Animal Control at 515-231-1080
• No - Estimate their age
  • 0-2 weeks old: Eyes closed or barely open
  • 2-4 weeks: Eyes open and becoming mobile
  • 4-6 weeks: Very mobile and often talkative, can eat food
  • 6-8 weeks: Very active and playful; around 1-2 pounds
  • 8+ weeks: Very active and playful; 2 pounds or more

If 0-6 weeks old - Step 2: Can you see the mom?

• Yes
  • Don't kitten-nap them!
  • A kitten's best chance of survival is with mom. Leave the kittens where they are for now. Contact us right away at 515-239-5530 to set up a plan with us to safely get both mom AND babies to the shelter.
• No - ARE YOU SURE?
  • Mom may be off hunting or not want to come around if people are present. Watch for her for a few hours. (Pro Tip: Leave a ring of flour around the kittens. Check in a few hours if you see mom's foot prints in the flour!)
  • If mom comes back - Don't kitten-nap them! A kitten's best chance of survival is with mom. Leave the kittens where they are for now. Contact us right away at 515-239-5530 to set up a plan with us to safely get both mom AND babies to the shelter.

If 6+ weeks old - Step 2: Call us at 515-239-5530 to coordinate any intake services through our animal sheltering program.