Lost & Found Pets
Let’s Help Them Find Their Way Home
Important: AAWL is not able to accept stray animals. Stray dogs must be brought to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control so their owners have the best chance of finding them.
Whether you’ve lost a pet or found one, you’re in the right place. There are clear steps you can take right now to help reunite pets with their families — and we’ll guide you through each one.
If you’ve found an injured dog or suspect abuse or neglect, contact Arizona Humane Society EAMT Dispatch at (602) 997-7585 ext. 2073. After hours, an injured animal can be brought to an emergency vet clinic, who will care for them until AHS can follow up the next day.
I Lost My Pet
Losing a pet is hard, and every minute matters. While AAWL isn’t able to take in strays, there are resources that can help you search and get your pet back home.
What to Do if You Find a Lost Dog
Steps You Can Take Right Away
If you’ve found a dog, here are a few things you can do right away:
- Check for a collar or ID tags
- Take them to any vet clinic or shelter to be scanned for a microchip — it’s free.
- Post the pet on lost-and-found platforms to help their family find them
- Check local listings, flyers and neighborhood groups
If you’re unable to locate the owner or keep the dog:
- Bring them to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC)
- Or, Arizona Humane Society (AHS) (for injured pets)
Important: AAWL is not able to accept stray animals. Stray dogs must be brought to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control so their owners have the best chance of finding them.
Helpful tools and sites include:
- Petco Love Lost
- LostDogsArizona
- PetFinder
- Finding Rover
- Nextdoor
- Craigslist
- Straydar
- Neighborhood Groups
What to Do if You Find a Lost Cat
Is It a Stray or Outdoor Cat?
If you’ve found a cat, the first step is to determine whether it’s truly lost or part of the outdoor cat community.
- Look for a collar or ID
- Check if the ear is tipped (a sign the cat is part of a Trap-Neuter-Return program)
If the cat appears to be lost:
- Have them scanned for a microchip
- Post on lost-and-found websites
- Check local listings and community groups
If the cat has a tipped ear, they’re likely part of a managed outdoor community and may be right where they belong.
About Outdoor Cats & TNR
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane program where outdoor cats are spayed or neutered, ear-tipped and returned to their original location. This helps reduce overpopulation while allowing cats to live safely in their environment.
Visit SoManyCats.org to learn more about TNR and find great resources on how to get involved in this program. If you have questions or need assistance with a cat colony in your community, you can call Animal Defense League of Arizona’s Spay Neuter Hotline at 602-265-7729.
Important to Know
- AAWL is not able to accept stray animals
- Dogs must be brought to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
- Arizona Humane Society accepts injured strays
- If you’ve found an injured dog or suspect abuse or neglect, contact Arizona Humane Society EAMT Dispatch at (602) 997-7585 ext. 2073. After hours, an injured animal can be brought to an emergency vet clinic, who will care for them until AHS can follow up the next day.
- Following the steps above gives lost pets the best chance of getting back to their families
Need Additional Help?
If you’re unsure what to do next, start with the steps above or explore local resources. Every effort you make helps give a lost pet the best chance of finding their way home.