Find a lost pet
Steps to find your lost pet
Check if your pet is at the Minneapolis Animal Care & Control shelter
If your pet is missing, first look to see if it's in our shelter. If you find an animal that you believe is your pet, contact us as soon as possible so that your pet is not re-homed.
If you see a possible match
If you do not see a possible match
Go to step 2.
Check to see if another resident found your pet
We keep a list of stray animals that residents have found in the last 30 days. These animals are at the homes of the those who found them, not at our shelter.
- See stray dogs found by residents
- See stray cats found by residents
- See stray small animals found by residents
If you see a possible match
Click on the picture for detailed information and directions.
If you do not see a possible match
Go to step 3.
Check additional resources
We recommend checking with other community groups.
- See the Animal Humane Society
- See Lost Dogs Minnesota Facebook page
- See Lost Cats Minnesota Facebook page
- See Craigslist under the lost and found or pets sections
- See NextDoor
- See Petco Love Lost
Check the dead animal dashboard
View descriptions of dead animals found by the City in the last 30 days
If you do not see a possible match
Go to step 4.
Fill out a lost animal report
If you don't find your pet in steps 1, 2 or 3, fill out and submit a lost animal report.
After you submit a report:
- We'll search for animals that match your pet's description.
- We'll email you if we find a possible match.
Know how to spot a scam
Recent scams involving lost pets
We've received reports of scammers posing as Minneapolis Animal Care & Control staff. The scammers contact owners who've lost their pets, often claiming the animal needs a fake emergency surgery. They can spoof the City's phone number and have even misused photos from lost pet posters and websites.
Look out for these red flags:
- An urgent request for payment
- A link to wire money
- A photo of an animal that looks like your pet
What to expect if we find your lost pet
- You will need to visit the shelter and show proof of ownership.
- We will never ask for money over the phone or by text to save or return your pet.
- We give pets with a current Minneapolis license a free ride home, as long as the owner information on file is up to date.
Schedule an appointment
Contact us
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control
Open hours
See when we're open for adoptions and other services
Appointments
You only need an appointment for pet vaccines.
Use our appointment scheduler