Lost Pet Resources

If you have lost a pet, please check our Facebook page where we post all stray animals who come to our shelter.

If you don't see your pet on our Facebook page

If your pet is not posted, send us an email at info@acskc.org with the following information: 

  • Your pet’s name, breed, age and physical description
  • When and where your pet was last seen
  • Whether your pet was last seen wearing a collar or any other identification
  • Photos of your pet

We will post your pet’s information to our Facebook page. We will let you know if anyone has seen your pet or if they make their way to our shelter.

Keep in mind: Depending where your pet went missing from, your pet may have been taken to a different shelter. Be sure to check with Cecil County Animal Services, Queen Anne’s Animal Services and other shelters in the area.

If your pet does come to ACSKC

Our shelter receives animals every day, and one of them could be your pet. When a stray animal enters our shelter, we scan for a microchip. If one is found, we can easily get in contact with the owner provided that the microchip was registered. If the animal does not have a microchip or any other identification, or if the owner cannot be reached, stray animals are placed on a “Stray Hold” for seven days. After this seven day holding period, any stray animal can be put up for adoption, transferred to another shelter, sent to rescue, put into a foster home, and in rare cases, euthanized if a certified veterinarian has determined serious medical issues impact the animal’s quality of life or if aggressive behaviors put the safety of our staff at risk. ACSKC does not euthanize based on breed, the animal’s length of stay or the shelter’s available capacity. 

If you see your pet has been posted to our Facebook page as found and is currently at our shelter, please follow the steps on our Pet Reclaim Information page.

Tips for Finding Your Lost Pet

Alert your neighbors
Immediately alert your neighbors about your lost pet by using the methods your community utilizes most to communicate. This could include Nextdoor, a Facebook group, or a neighborhood email list. Be sure to include a description of your pet (color, size, gender), last known location or closest intersection, and a photo.

Contact the microchip company
If your pet has a microchip, contact the microchip company right away to report them as lost, and update your contact information as needed. If you don’t know what company your pet’s microchip is registered to, visit the AAHA website which will allow you to enter your pet’s microchip number and identify the microchip company. If you don’t know your pet’s microchip number, contact the facility that microchipped your pet and they can provide this information.

Check the ACSKC facebook page where we post stray animals who enter the shelter. If you do not see your pet, follow the steps on our Lost and Found Pets page.

Check local facebook groups such as Pets- Lost & Found in Maryland

Create lost pet posters
When creating a flyer or poster, use a half-page, brightly colored poster board and include a clear photo of your pet. Use extremely large lettering with concise information, such as, “LOST SMALL WHITE MALE DOG, CALL xxx-xxx-xxxx”.

Hang lost pet posters
Hang posters at major intersections within a 3-mile radius of where your dog was lost or a 1-mile radius of where your cat was lost.

Check websites where you can post lost pets
Petco Love Lost, Pawboost, Nextdoor, LostMyDoggie, LostMyKitty, PetFBI

Continue to look for your pet on our facebook page
If you see your pet’s photo, please call the shelter immediately.

Don't Give Up!

Pets have been found months after getting lost. Finding a lost pet can take time. Start searching immediately and often. Animals that are lost may still be close to home, or residing with a well-meaning finder.

Update your Reports

Wherever you posted your pet as missing (posters, websites, social media) be sure to update that your pet has been found. Many volunteers and shelter staff members review lost pet reports daily, and having updated information ensures time is dedicated to animals that are still missing.

Collar and ID Tag

Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and ID tags. Only 5% of lost pets not wearing identification ever get reunited with their owners. Inexpensive tags can also be purchased from KC Pet Project. Include your phone number and address. Don’t forget to update the microchip and tag information as your information changes!

Microchip

Having your pet microchipped is a quick, painless and easy way to ensure that if your pet gets loose, you will be contacted if they come into a shelter. You can have your pet microchipped at any veterinarian’s office.