Found a Lost Pet? Here’s What to Do Next

Whether you spot a dog wandering alone down a busy street or notice a frightened cat hiding near your home, most animal lovers want to help immediately.

For many people, simply walking away isn’t an option — but once the pet is safely secured, knowing what to do next isn’t always clear.

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Across Hampton Roads, lost pets are reunited with their families every day thanks to quick action from community members. And now, new public microchip scanning stations are making that process even easier.

Found a Lost Pet? Here’s What to Do First.

Move the pet away from traffic or immediate danger if you can do so safely.

Check for identification tags or contact information.

Visit a local microchip scanning station.

Report the found pet to local animal control.

Post in local lost pet Facebook groups and neighborhood apps like Nextdoor.

Keep the pet secure while searching for the owner.

Securing the Pet

A scared or injured pet may not react the way you expect, even if they normally have a gentle temperament. Approaching slowly and moving the animal away from traffic or immediate danger can prevent an already stressful situation from becoming worse.

Once the animal is in your care, checking for identification tags is the next step. But many pets slip away from home without collars.

That’s where microchips become incredibly important.

Until recently, checking for a microchip usually meant bringing an animal to a veterinary office or shelter. New public scanning stations now available in Hampton Roads are giving community members a faster and easier way to identify pets and begin locating owners sooner.

Public scanning stations are currently available at Chesapeake Humane Society and Virginia Beach SPCA, allowing community members to scan a pet’s microchip and begin searching registration databases directly from their phone.

You should also contact local animal control to report the pet as found, since that is often the first place pet owners check when searching for a missing animal.

Social Media Can Help Reunite Pets Faster

Social media can also play a major role in reuniting lost pets with their families. Local Facebook groups, neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, and lost pet communities often help spread information quickly when a pet is found.

If you find a lost pet, look for local Facebook lost pet groups and post in neighborhood apps. Communities such as Lost & Found Pets Hampton Roads, VA have helped reunite countless pets with their families.

Protect Your Pet Before They Go Missing

A collar can fall off.

A gate can accidentally be left open.

A loud, sudden noise can cause a pet to flee.

Even indoor pets sometimes escape unexpectedly.

Pets go missing every day for reasons no owner expects. Keeping identification tags current and making sure your pet’s microchip information is up to date can dramatically improve the chances of a fast and safe reunion.