We’re here to help you take the next right step
Losing a pet, or finding one who may belong to someone else, can be frightening and overwhelming. Acting quickly and using the right tools gives you the best chance of a happy reunion.
If You’ve Lost a Pet
The most important first step is to report your missing pet and begin searching immediately.
Step 1: Report Your Lost Pet on Petco Love Lost
Petco Love Lost is a free, powerful tool that uses photo-matching and facial recognition technology to help reunite lost pets with their families.
- Upload a clear photo of your pet
- Include your pet’s microchip number (if they have one)
- Add details like collar color, harness, leash, or unique markings
Check back daily for potential matches
Step 2: Visit ACCT Philly in Person
If your pet went missing in Philadelphia, it’s critical to visit ACCT Philly as soon as possible, and continue visiting regularly.
- ACCT Philly is the city’s open-intake animal control shelter
- Stray dogs are typically held for a limited time
- There is no mandated stray hold for cats
- In-person visits are essential—photos or phone descriptions are often not enough
Bring:
- A photo ID
- Proof of ownership (photos, vet records, adoption paperwork)
Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia
111 W. Hunting Park Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19140 (map)
(267) 385-3800 | phone
Step 3: Check and Update Microchip Information
If your pet is microchipped:
- Contact the microchip registry to report your pet missing
- Make sure your contact information is current
Not sure where the chip is registered?
Search the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool
Step 4: Spread the Word
Lost pets are often found by neighbors before they ever reach a shelter.
- Post on neighborhood Facebook groups and Nextdoor
- Share flyers with a large photo and simple details
- Talk to neighbors, mail carriers, and local businesses
Helpful platforms include:
- PawBoost
- Nextdoor
- Local lost & found pet Facebook groups
- Craigslist (use caution and ask for proof of ownership)
If You’ve Found a Pet
Thank you for looking out for an animal who may be lost. Your actions can make all the difference.
Step 1: File a Found Pet Report on Petco Love Lost
Petco Love Lost allows you to upload a photo of the animal you found and automatically checks for possible matches.
- Use a clear photo
- Note where and when the pet was found
- Include any collar, tags, or distinguishing features
Step 2: Check for ID and a Microchip
- Look for tags and contact the owner if information is listed
- Have the pet scanned for a microchip at any vet clinic or shelter (usually free)
Use the AAHA Microchip Lookup tool to contact the registry
Step 3: Contact ACCT Philly
If the pet was found in Philadelphia, ACCT Philly is the appropriate municipal shelter to notify.
Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia
111 W. Hunting Park Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19140 (map)
(267) 385-3800 | phone
(215) 261-6092 | fax
Step 4: Share Responsibly
- Post photos and general location details online
- Ask for proof of ownership before releasing the pet
- Remember: pets can travel far from home
A Note About the Pennsylvania SPCA
While the Pennsylvania SPCA is not the municipal animal control agency for Philadelphia, we work closely with partners across the region and are committed to helping pets find their way home. Using Petco Love Lost gives lost pets their best chance of being reunited with the people who love them.
If Your Pet Is Lost or Found Outside of Philadelphia
No matter where a pet goes missing or is found, we always recommend starting with Petco Love Lost. It connects lost and found pets across shelters, rescues, and communities nationwide, and gives families the best chance of finding each other quickly.
Once you’ve done that, the next steps depend on the community where the pet was lost or found.
Lancaster County
If a pet is lost or found in Lancaster County, the Pennsylvania SPCA provides animal control services for the county.
- All lost and found pets should first be reported through Petco Love Lost, which allows owners and finders to connect quickly across the region.
- Stray animals in Lancaster County are handled through the PSPCA Lancaster Center
Chester County/Main Line Area
If a pet is lost or found in Chester County or the Main Line region:
- Animal control is managed by township or borough authorities
- Some animals may be transferred to the PSPCA’s Main Line Animal Rescue
- Owners and finders should:
- File a report on Petco Love Lost
- Contact their local animal control office
- Reach out to PSPCA’s Main Line Animal Rescue
Danville/Montour County
If a pet is lost or found in Danville or surrounding communities:
- Local animal control or law enforcement typically manages stray intake
- Some animals may come to the PSPCA’s Danville Center
- Owners should:
- Report the pet on Petco Love Lost
- Contact local authorities
- Reach out to the PSPCA Danville Center