Have you found a dog or cat? What to do, step by step

The steps, in order

1. Safety first: approach calmly from the side, without sudden movements. A frightened or injured animal may bite. If it will not let you catch it, do not chase it: note the location and post a report.
2. Check the collar: tag, phone number, address. Call right away, it is the quickest way to reunite the animal with its owner.
3. Visit a vet to have the microchip scanned. If the animal has a chip, contacting the owner starts there.
4. Post a found pet notice with a photo and the exact location. On Reunika, it is free, and the notice appears on the local map, where owners look first.
5. Notify the local shelter: many owners call there every day. In some countries, officially reporting a found animal is even a legal obligation.
6. Search in reverse: look for "lost + species + area" online and in local groups. The owner's notice may already be there.

What NOT to do

• Do not give the animal to "someone who wants it" without checking the microchip and allowing a reasonable period to search for the owner.
• Do not post only "I found a dog, call me" without a photo and location: notices without details are unlikely to be found by anyone.
• Do not withhold identifying information: when handing the animal over, ask the owner for proof, such as photos of the animal, its health record, and details only they would know.

If you want to keep it

Rules differ from country to country: there is usually a legal period during which the owner can reclaim the animal, and reporting the find to a shelter or local authority is the step that protects you. Check your country's guide in the guides section.

Common questions