What do if you’re lost your pet

We understand how it feels to lose a pet, we know they are a part of the family. If you have lost your dog or cat take the following steps to put yourself in the best chance of finding them:

  1. Report them missing with your pet’s microchip database
  2. Check in with local vets, animal hospitals or rehoming centres in case they have been taken in
  3. Report your missing pet on Animal Search UK who are the leading search service in the UK
  4. Keep an eye on your local social media, see below for further advice
  5. If you have lost your pet dog then please contact your local dog warden:
    1. Coventry City Council
    2. Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
    3. Rugby Borough Council
    4. Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
  6. If you have lost your pet cat and fear the worst, the Street Services team maybe able to help:
    1. Coventry City Council
    2. Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
    3. Rugby Borough Council
    4. Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
  7. Think your pet has been stolen? Please get in touch with the Police

What to do if you’ve found a stray pet

If you’ve found a stray dog please take it to, or contact, your local dog warden.

We’re not licensed to take in stray dogs but if you do bring an animal to the centre, we will scan for a microchip and try and reach the owner before contacting the dog warden.

Don’t ever put yourself in danger trying to get near a stray dog or cat. Taking a photo of the animal and sharing in lost pets groups on social media can be just as helpful to a pet parent.

Hints and tips for finding your pet

Share on social media

There are lots of lost and found groups in Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton and Solihull and the local areas on Facebook. If your pet is lost share the information in these groups. They have a good success rate for reuniting lost pets with their owners.

Microchips and ID Tags:

Any animal that goes to a veterinary surgery, rescue centre or dog warden will be scanned for a microchip. If your pet is microchipped, please contact your microchip company to flag them as missing and to ensure that your contact details are up to date. If you do not know your pet’s microchip number have a look to see if it has been recorded on your pets vaccination card. You can also get the number from your vet and they will be able to tell you which microchip company the chip is registered with.

Since April 2016 it has been a legal requirement that all dogs are microchipped, and it is also law that any dog in a public place must wear an ID tag with their keeper’s surname and address (including postcode) telephone numbers on tags are optional but it does help if your dog gets lose and it is wearing it’s collar.

Create a good poster:

Putting up posters and sharing your lost pet on social media might seem basic, but it can be very effective. To make your posters as helpful as possible, you should ideally include:

  • The name, gender, age, colour of the pet and any identifying features
  • The exact location where they went missing (including postcode)
  • If they are microchipped or not
  • If they are neutered (spayed/castrated) or not
  • The exact date that they were last seen
  • More than one telephone number to contact
  • A recent clear photo

Some tips to help them find their own way home

If your cat is lost then putting their litter tray or bedding outside can help them find they way back. Asking your neighbours to check their garages and sheds can also be a good idea as nosey cats can get shut in accidentally.