Guidance — Lost & Found Pet Advice

The first 24 hours

Most dogs are found within 48 hours. Most cats are found within 500m of home. Speed and systematic coverage matter more than searching far and wide.

Do these straight away

Report it on PetAmies — this activates the community alert network in your area.
Contact every local vet — a found animal is often brought in within hours.
Notify the local dog warden or council animal service.
Post in local Facebook and WhatsApp groups — your community is your best search party.
Put up flyers within 200m — expand the radius if not found within 48 hours.
Leave worn clothing or their litter tray outside — familiar scent helps guide a pet home.
Check your microchip details are correct — on I-CAD (France) or Petlog / Microchip Central (UK). Do this now, even if you think they’re right.

Scared animals don’t behave normally. A frightened pet often won’t respond to its name — so don’t rely on calling alone. Search quietly, especially at dawn and dusk.

How to search, by species

🐱

Cats

Cats hide and go silent when scared. Check under decking, in garages, sheds, and under cars. Search at dawn and dusk — many cats only move after dark. 75% of lost cats are found within 500m of home.

🐕

Dogs

Dogs roam widely and may follow roads or waterways. Cover the area in a systematic grid rather than searching at random. Most are found within 48 hours.

🌙

Night searches

Torch, treats, and a familiar blanket. Sit quietly and wait rather than actively calling — a frightened animal is more likely to approach calm and stillness.

Prevention — the four essentials for dogs

💉 Microchip. Legally required in France and the UK. Register with I-CAD (France) or Petlog (UK), and update your details every time you move or change your phone number.
🏷️ ID tag on a collar. Legally required in UK public spaces. Use a flat engraved tag with your mobile number.
📍 GPS tracker. The single biggest game-changer — if a dog bolts, you can follow their live location. Set safe-zone alerts.
📸 Current photo. A clear, recent, colour photo showing face and distinctive markings. Update every six months.

Prevention — the four essentials for cats

📍

75%

of lost cats are found within 500m of home.

🔍

10×

more likely to be reunited if microchipped.

🌅

Dawn & dusk

when most cats stray furthest from home.

💉 Microchip. Compulsory in France (cats born after 2012) and in England from June 2024. Often cheaper alongside vaccination or sterilisation, and veterinary schools and SPA dispensaries offer reduced rates. Register and check your details are correct — the most commonly missed step.
🏷️ Breakaway collar & ID disc. Always use a safety collar that releases under pressure — a standard collar can cause serious injury if caught. Include a phone number, not an address.
📍 GPS tracker. Cat-specific lightweight trackers only (under 30g for most cats), on a breakaway collar. Never use a dog tracker on a cat.
📸 Current photo. Several angles, including face-on and any distinctive markings. Cats change with the seasons — update at least once a year.

Make an effective flyer

A good flyer is one of the most powerful tools you have. Make the photo the largest element on the page, and include:

LOST or FOUND as a clear heading
A large, recent colour photo — facing forward, well lit
Pet’s name, breed/type, colour and markings, sex and age
When and where last seen (street or area — not your home address)
Distinguishing features: collar colour, microchip, scars, whether they respond to their name
A clear contact phone number — large enough to read from a distance
“Also listed on petamies.org”

Printing tips: A4 minimum (A3 for lamp posts), always in colour, and laminate anything going outdoors — an unlaminated flyer disintegrates in rain within hours. Distribute to every vet, pet shop, rescue centre, post office, and noticeboard within your search radius.

Ready to report a missing or found pet?

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