Every Pet Has Someone Looking for Them. Let’s Help Them Get Home.
Each year, thousands of stray animals come through the doors of The Animal Foundation. Many of them don’t have microchips, tags, or any way to identify an owner—which means the only way home is through people like you following the right steps.
Whether you’ve lost a pet or found one, your actions in the first 24–72 hours are critical. It’s not enough to check our online Lost & Found search — many animals never make it here at all, and some may be placed for adoption quickly if they don’t have identification.
That’s why we ask everyone to follow all the steps outlined on our Lost Pets and Found Pets pages. From posting on neighborhood sites, to uploading your pet’s photo on Petco Love Lost, to walking the area where your pet went missing — every effort matters
And remember: we encourage finders to keep healthy, friendly pets out of the shelter whenever possible. Reuniting a pet directly in the community is almost always faster, safer, and less stressful for the animal.
See Lost and Found Pets in Your Area
To help connect lost and found animals in the Las Vegas area, we partner with Petco Love Lost, a free national database that uses facial recognition technology to reunite pets with their families.
Use the interactive map below to see animals reported lost or found in your neighborhood. You can upload a photo of your pet to check for matches or register a pet you’ve found. This tool is updated in real time and connects people directly.
What Happens When a Stray Pet Comes to the Shelter?
When a stray dog or cat is brought to The Animal Foundation, they are placed on a 72-hour legal hold, as required by our municipal partners: the City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, and Clark County. During this time, our Lost and Found team attempts to contact the owner if the pet has any form of identification, such as a microchip or collar.
After 72 hours, if no owner has come forward, the pet becomes the responsibility of The Animal Foundation and may be placed for adoption. In most cases, stray cats without identification are not subject to the legal hold and may be evaluated for adoption upon intake. This includes community cats (outdoor cats with no known owner).
Don’t Wait. Don’t Give Up.
Pets can go missing in a matter of seconds—but they’re out there waiting for someone to notice, speak up, or take action. Whether you’re searching for a lost pet or helping one get back home, your efforts make all the difference.
Please visit our Lost Pets and Found Pets pages for detailed, step-by-step instructions.