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Lost or found a dog

The first hours matter most. Where to look, who to call, and how microchips help.

LOST & FOUND DOGS + MICROCHIP REGISTRIES (contacts inline)

Act FAST - most reunions happen when owners move quickly. A microchip only works if it's REGISTERED and current. Verified against ACC, Mayor's Alliance, Petco Love Lost, and 24Petwatch on 2026-08-27.

LOST A DOG - do all of these NOW

  1. Post flyers (photo + your phone) around the neighborhood, vet offices, pet stores; post to local Facebook lost-pet groups + Nextdoor; list on PawBoost, FidoAlert, Pet FBI (free).

  2. Do NOT chase a scared dog - it makes them bolt. Sit low, look away, toss high-value food; for dogs, leaving out your worn (stinky) clothing + grilling smelly meat can draw them back. Leave a light on and someone home.

    1. Check ACC 24/7: search + file a LOST report at nycacc.org/services/lost-and-found - ACC takes in found pets citywide; your dog could already be there. Also call ACC (212) 788-4000.
    1. Report + search on Petco Love Lost (FREE, uses facial recognition): petcolove.org/lost - upload a clear FACE photo; it auto-matches against found reports from shelters + neighbors and generates printable flyers.
    1. Update your MICROCHIP: call your chip company, confirm your contact info is current, and mark the pet LOST. Don't know the company? Use the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup (aaha.org/petmicrochiplookup) with the chip number.

FOUND A DOG

Secure the dog safely if you can. Check for ID tags + a dog-license tag.

Get it SCANNED for a microchip - any vet office or ACC shelter will scan free; if chipped, the chip company locates the owner.

After business hours, or if the dog is sick/injured/dangerous: call 911 and a dispatcher will assist.

You can bring a found dog to any ACC Care Center during business hours (call ahead). Check lost-pet apps/Facebook groups to match it to an owner searching.

  • Report as FOUND on Petco Love Lost (petcolove.org/lost) and file a FOUND report on ACC (nycacc.org/services/lost-and-found). Call ACC before bringing a found pet in: (212) 788-4000.

MICROCHIP REGISTRIES - register the chip (implanting is not registering)

KEY: a chip must be updated MANUALLY every time you move or change phone/email. An unregistered or outdated chip cannot reunite you with your dog.

  • 24Petwatch (by PetPlace) - North America's largest registry; FREE registration, no mandatory fees. Register/update/report lost at petplace.com/pet-microchip-registry or 24pet.com. Recovery specialists run real-time found searches.
  • HomeAgain - homeagain.com; enrolled chips also WAIVE the ASPCA Poison Control consultation fee.
  • AKC Reunite - akcreunite.org, (800) 252-7894; lifetime registration.
  • Petkey / Save This Life / Michelson Found Animals (foundanimals.org - free) - other registries.
  • AAHA Universal Lookup - petmicrochiplookup.org: enter a chip number to find which registry it's in (doesn't store owner data, points you to the right company).

NYC STRAY-HOLD + PREVENTION

NY stray-hold: found pets are generally reported to animal control (ACC) and held a minimum number of days before becoming adoptable - confirm current hold period with ACC.

NOTE: Petco Love Lost is free and the single highest-leverage step (facial-recognition matching across NYC shelters + community) - do it first alongside the ACC report.

  • Prevention: license your dog (nyc.gov/doglicense), keep a physical ID tag on the collar, register and maintain the microchip, use a well-fitted martingale collar or harness, and keep a recent full-body photo on your phone.

This guide is compiled from the project's research files. Contact details inside it can go stale — check the directory for the current listing, and confirm a number is live before you rely on it.