Find a lost pet

Here are the steps to follow if you are looking for a lost pet.

Petco partnership

Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) partners with Petco Love Lost. It is the nation's largest free database of lost and found pets.

Logo for Petco Love Lost program

Steps to find your lost pet

Step 1

Fill out a lost animal report

Report your missing pet to Petco Love Lost. This will make your lost pet visible to neighbors using the site, local shelters, and MACC employees. 

Report your lost pet

Once you've reported your lost pet, you can use the Petco Love Lost toolkit to create a sign to spread the word. Post it and share it:

  • In your neighborhood
  • With local vet clinics
  • On local social media groups

Search the Petco Love Lost map to see found animal reports from people and shelters nearby. 

Map of reported lost and found pets

Step 2

Check if your pet is at the Minneapolis Animal Care & Control shelter

After you've reported your lost pet, 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

See lost pet recovery details

If you do not see a possible match

Go to step 3.

Step 3

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.

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 4. 

Know how to spot a scam

A man sitting on an indoor bench pets a dog

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.

Read more about reuniting with a pet in our care

By appointment on mousepad by laptop

Schedule an appointment

Use the appointment scheduler to book a time convenient for you to get services for your pet.

Contact us

Minneapolis Animal Care & Control

Regulatory Services

Phone

612-673-6222

Fax

612-673-6255

 

Address

Animal Care & Control
212 17th Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55411

Get directions

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

Minneapolis 311

Phone

311 or 612-673-3000

Relay service

612-673-3000

Hours

7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday – Friday

See list of City holidays