Community Resources

Losing a pet can be stressful, but taking action quickly can improve your chances of being reunited. Use the tips and resources below to search for your missing pet, spread the word, and connect with local animal shelters and lost-and-found networks.

Tips for Finding a Lost Pet

• Search your property and neighborhood. Look on foot in nearby areas, checking under porches and vehicles, inside sheds and garages, in drainage pipes, and in other places where a frightened pet might hide.
• Search online lost-and-found platforms. Check Petco Love Lost, which helps reunite lost pets with their families. This platform is used by several animal agencies in Forsyth County.
• Create and distribute lost pet flyers. Include a recent photo, your pet’s name, identifying features, the location where they went missing, and your contact information. Post flyers nearby with permission, and remove them once your pet is found.
• Check local newspapers. Review lost-and-found listings and consider placing an ad in the classifieds.
• Contact your postal carrier. Give your local mail carrier a flyer and ask them to keep an eye out for your pet.
• Contact animal shelters and rescue groups. Check shelters in your area and surrounding counties, as well as local and breed-specific rescue organizations. Pets may be transported outside the immediate search area.

Forsyth County Animal Control

Visit the Forsyth County Animal Shelter Lost & Found page to search animals currently in custody and submit a lost or found animal report.

If your pet is missing:

• Check the online listings frequently.
• Visit the shelter in person to look for your pet, including animals on stray hold. Do not rely on a phone description alone to identify a matching animal.
• Revisit regularly while your pet is missing.
• Contact surrounding county shelters and local rescue groups, since lost pets may travel or be transported beyond Forsyth County.

We recommend checking with the shelter frequently and visiting in person when possible.

Online Lost & Found Resources

Use these websites and social media platforms to report your missing pet, search for found animals, and share information with your community.

• Petco Love Lost(opens in new tab) — Search for lost and found pets and create a report.
• WXII 12 Pets(opens in new tab) — Share pet-related information with the local community. You can also email pets@wxii12.com.
• Lost & Found Dogs – North Carolina(opens in new tab) — Connect with a North Carolina-focused lost-and-found dog network.
• Lost My Doggie(opens in new tab) — Explore services for reporting missing dogs and distributing alerts.
• PawBoost(opens in new tab) — Create lost-pet alerts and connect with people in your area.
• Petkey(opens in new tab) — Explore pet recovery and identification resources.
• Track Your Dog with GPS(opens in new tab) — Learn about GPS tracking technology for dogs.
• Social media — Share your pet’s photo and information on your own social media accounts and in relevant neighborhood and community groups.

Understanding Lost Dog Behavior

Lost dogs can behave unpredictably when frightened or disoriented. How far a dog travels depends on factors such as temperament, surroundings, terrain, weather, and the circumstances of the disappearance.

When searching for a missing dog, consider not only where your dog might be hiding, but also who may have found or taken in your dog. Someone who finds a stray may transport the animal to another neighborhood, shelter, foster home, or rescue organization.

For the best chance of finding your dog:

• Search shelters and animal control facilities throughout your area and surrounding counties.
• Contact local rescue organizations and breed-specific rescues.
• Search online for animal rescue groups near your city.
• Continue checking listings and following up with shelters while your pet is missing.

Don't give up after checking just once. Keep sharing your pet's information, checking local resources, and following up with shelters and rescue groups until you're reunited.