Lost a pet in Los Angeles? Start here.
Start searching close to where your pet disappeared, then check both the relevant city and county shelter systems. LA Animal Services and Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control are separate agencies. Use their lost-pet pages to find current reporting tools and shelter information while you share a clear photo locally.
First steps in Los Angeles
Check the immediate area
Look carefully around the last-seen spot and ask neighbors to check garages and sheds. Ask permission before entering private property.
Identify the responsible shelter
Check whether the last-seen location is served by LA city, LA County, or another municipality; nearby shelters may also have a report.
Prepare one clear description
Keep a recent photo, last-seen time and location, identifying markings, and a safe contact method ready for reports and flyers.
Record and follow up
Keep a list of reports and sightings so helpers can coordinate. Check shelter listings again as new animals arrive.
Los Angeles contacts and reporting tools
These links lead to independent organizations, not Your Pet Finders partners. Resources reviewed September 27, 2026. Confirm current hours, service areas, and availability with each organization.
LA Animal Services: city shelters
Search animals at the city’s six centers, use its missing-pet registration links, and check again in person when possible. The page also links local reporting services.
Open lost-pet resources →Official resourceLA County Animal Care and Control
Use the county’s lost-pet guide and care-center links when the last-seen area is served by the county. Its guidance includes microchip updates and neighborhood outreach.
Open lost-pet resources →Keep your search organized
Use your shelter reports, local outreach, and sightings together. No single listing covers every found pet.
Update the phone number and email held by your pet’s microchip registry.
Use a consistent photo and last-seen description in your posts; update them when reliable sightings arrive.
Avoid posting your full home address. Verify unexpected requests for money by contacting the organization directly.
When your pet is home, close your reports and update the people helping with your search.
Frequently asked questions
Are LA city and county shelter searches the same?
No. They are separate agencies. Check the applicable system and nearby shelters rather than treating one search as covering every community in the county.
What should I include in a lost-pet report?
Use a recent clear photo, the last-seen place and time, a description including distinctive markings, and a contact method you can monitor. Provide microchip details directly to the registry or shelter.
Does creating a Your Pet Finders case file these shelter reports?
No. Your free case helps organize your search, but you still need to contact the listed organizations and submit their reports yourself.
Do I have to buy an alert package to start?
No. Start with a free case and Action Plan. Paid Facebook and Instagram alerts are optional and subject to platform review. Neither an alert nor a shelter report guarantees a sighting or reunion.