If you’re missing a pet, the City of Austin suggests visiting animal ervices as well as other local shelters and rescues regularly in case your pet has been brought in. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
Pets have a tendency to wander away from home if they’re not properly sheltered or occupied, making it a nightmare for owners.
According to Austin Pets Alive!, thousands of lost animals are taken in each year.
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It can be difficult to get your pet back if your dog or cat isn’t properly registered. Here’s how to find a missing pet in Austin.
What should I do immediately after a pet gets lost?
If your pet goes missing, start by searching your home and nearby area thoroughly. Many lost pets stay close to where they disappeared.
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Text “lostatx” to 844-764-2125 to contact Austin Animal Services.
Check local shelter listings.
Post clear photos and contact information on social media.
Share information in local Facebook groups, including Lost and Found Pets and Austin TX Lost and Found Pets.
Ask neighbors to check garages, sheds and other enclosed spaces where a pet may be trapped.
The sooner you begin searching and reporting a lost pet, the better the chances of being reunited.
How do I report a lost pet in Austin, Texas?
If you cannot visit the shelter, please call the Reclaim Hotline at 512-978-0556 or email animal.reclaim@austintexas.gov.
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Austin Animal Services recommends checking the shelter’s lost-and-found resources as soon as possible. Daily business hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How to reclaim your pet from Austin Animal Services
According to Austin Animal Services, if your pet was found in its shelter, visit as soon as possible to reclaim it. Pets are held for three days and then released for adoption or transfer.
Here are two forms of identification you’ll need to retrieve your pet:
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Proof of ownership, such as vet records, microchip information, or a photo ID of your pet
Photo ID, such as a driver’s license, U.S. or International passports, government or other official photo identification, and Mexican Consulate cards are accepted.
How much does it cost to reclaim a lost pet in Austin?
Fees range from $0 to $115. If your pet has received emergency veterinary care because it was sick or injured, there may be an additional cost.
Can a microchip help find a lost pet?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, a study of more than 7,700 stray animals in shelters across 23 states found that pets with microchips are significantly more likely to be reunited with their owners.
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Microchipped dogs were returned home at more than twice the rate of all stray dogs, while the difference for cats was even greater.
Among microchipped pets that were not reunited with their owners, the most common issue was outdated or incorrect contact information in the microchip registry. The association recommends that owners not only have their pet microchipped, but also register the chip and keep their phone number and other contact details current.
Do cats and dogs need to be microchipped in Austin?
In September 2024, the City Council passed an ordinance requiring all pets within city limits to be microchipped.
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The requirements apply to animals that are at least four months old, are not wildlife or livestock, and are kept within the city of Austin.
The ordinance does not penalize pet owners for noncompliance. Instead, Animal Services provides educational materials about microchipping to owners of pets that are not microchipped.
Getting a pet microchipped can cost between $20 and $70, but the Austin Animal Center offers free microchipping to Travis County residents.
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