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Escambia Pet HelpEmergency vet

How to find a lost dog or cat

Start searching immediately, then combine a local search with shelter reports, microchip records, neighbours, flyers and social media.

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Who to contact

Report it, then check in person

Call these first, and keep checking. A found animal is usually taken to a shelter or animal control, and it may arrive days after it went missing.

  • Escambia County Animal Shelter

    Shelter
    Pensacola · Escambia County

    Escambia County Animal Welfare provides animal shelter, adoption, and animal control services for Escambia County and the City of Pensacola. Services include pet adoptions, lost and found pets, owner surrenders, stray animal response, pet licensing, and enforcement of local and state animal welfare laws. Pet Licensing Dogs and cats in Escambia County are required to be licensed annually. Visit the Escambia County Animal Welfare website for current licensing requirements, fees, and registration information. Lost Pets If your pet is missing, check 24PetConnect and select Escambia County Animal Services under the “I Lost A Pet” section. If you believe your pet is at the shelter, visit the facility in person. Because the shelter cares for many animals and the population changes daily, staff may not be able to identify lost pets by phone or email. Bring proof of ownership such as photos, veterinary or vaccination records, identifying markings, tags, or microchip information. A state-issued ID or driver’s license is required to reclaim a pet. Visit the county website for current redemption fees and requirements. Adoptions Available pets are listed on 24PetConnect under the “Adopt” section. Cats and kittens can be viewed at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center without an appointment. Dogs and puppies can also be viewed at the shelter. To interact with a dog, speak with the front desk to arrange time in a play yard. Having the animal’s name or Animal ID number will help staff locate the pet. Adoptions are generally first come, first served, and pets cannot be placed on hold. Stray Animals For safety, Escambia County recommends reporting stray animals to Animal Welfare Enforcement rather than attempting to capture them yourself. Shelter capacity and staffing may limit the county’s ability to immediately accept stray animals. If you have already picked up a stray animal, contact the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center to ask whether a drop-off appointment is available. If the shelter cannot accept the animal, staff may provide information about local rescue organizations. Owner Surrenders The shelter encourages pet owners to explore alternatives before surrendering an animal and may be able to provide resources to help families keep their pets. Owner surrenders are accepted by appointment. Contact the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center to discuss surrender options, available appointments, rescue contacts, and other possible rehoming resources. For current policies, fees, hours, and requirements, refer to the official Escambia County Animal Welfare website.

    Helps with: Found a stray, Lost pet, Rehome a pet, Adopt

    (850) 595-3075WebsiteDetails →

  • Crestview Animal Services

    Animal control
    Crestview · Okaloosa County

    Crestview Animal Services is an animal control and shelter organisation offering animal control issue reporting, animal adoption, animal fostering and volunteer opportunities.

    Helps with: Found a stray, Lost pet, Animal control, Rehome a pet, Adopt, Foster

    (850) 331-3560WebsiteDetails →

  • Escambia County Animal Control

    Animal control
    Pensacola · Escambia County

    Animal Control enforces and investigates Escambia County's animal control ordinances and Florida state statues in Escambia County and the city of Pensacola.

    Helps with: Found a stray, Lost pet, Animal control, Pet services

    (850) 595-0097WebsiteDetails →

Post where people are looking

Local groups spread a sighting faster than anything else. Post a clear photo, the last-seen spot, and "do not chase".

Showing 4 of 11. See the full list

If your pet is hurt when you find it

A pet recovered after days outside may be dehydrated or injured. These clinics handle urgent and after-hours cases.

Showing 3 of 15. See the full list

Start searching right away. Combine a focused local search with shelter reports, microchip records, neighbours, flyers and social media. Dogs and cats often behave differently when lost, so adjust your approach to the animal and the situation.

What you may need

  • Recent, clear photographs of your pet
  • Phone with maps
  • Leash and treats
  • Food and water
  • Flashlight
  • Flyers or posters
  • Familiar bedding or clothing
  • Humane trap for a lost cat, when appropriate

Search the area immediately

Return to where your pet was last seen and thoroughly search the immediate surroundings first. Note the exact location, date, time, and any direction of travel or confirmed sightings.

Check nearby hiding places carefully. For cats, look under porches, decks, vehicles, sheds, bushes, garages, crawl spaces and other quiet spots — a frightened cat may stay close without responding when called. For dogs, check nearby streets, trails, parks, familiar walking routes, and places the dog normally visits. Search your own property as well.

If several people are helping, divide the search area so you cover more ground.

Do not chase a frightened pet

If you spot your pet but it looks scared, do not run toward it, surround it, or make loud noises. Chasing is what turns a pet hiding two streets away into one that is genuinely lost.

Stay calm and keep some distance. Use familiar food or treats and let the animal approach when it is ready. Tell anyone helping you to do the same.

Ask neighbours for help

Show nearby residents a clear photo of your pet. Ask them to check yards, garages, sheds, porches, decks and security cameras. Leave your contact information so any sighting can be reported quickly.

Contact shelters, rescues and animal control

Report your missing pet to local animal shelters, rescue groups and animal control as soon as possible. Give them a recent photo, a description and identifying marks, the last-seen location and date, microchip or tag details if you have them, and your contact information.

Check shelters and lost-pet listings repeatedly. Filing one report is often not enough, and animals can arrive days later. Visit in person when you can, especially if photos or descriptions are unclear. Bring proof of ownership — photos, records, tags or microchip details — and identification if you are reclaiming a pet.

The shelters, rescues and animal control offices for your county are listed at the top of this page, and you can narrow them to your city. See everything that helps with a lost pet.

Contact the microchip company

If your pet is microchipped, report it missing through the registry right away. Check that your phone number, email address and home address on the record are current — an out-of-date number is the most common reason a chipped pet is not returned.

Post on social media and local groups

Share your missing pet promptly in relevant local communities: lost-and-found pet groups, neighbourhood pages, Nextdoor, shelter and rescue pages, and other community forums.

Include:

  • A clear, recent photo
  • The pet's name
  • Description and distinguishing features
  • Last-seen location and date
  • Your contact information
  • “Do not chase” when it applies

Ask people to share the post and to report sightings rather than approach the animal.

Be cautious of anyone asking for money or personal details before giving solid proof they have your pet.

Put up lost-pet flyers

Make simple, readable flyers with a large clear photo, “LOST DOG” or “LOST CAT”, a basic description, the last-seen area, your contact information, and “DO NOT CHASE” if it applies.

Post them, where allowed, near the last-seen location, at intersections, veterinary offices, pet businesses and community boards.

Use food, familiar scents and traps carefully

For a missing cat, familiar bedding, clothing or strongly scented food may help draw the animal toward a safe spot. Keep a quiet area available if it is safe to do so, and avoid attracting wildlife.

A humane trap can help when a cat is being seen regularly but will not approach people. Use suitable bait, place the trap somewhere safe, and monitor it closely.

Never leave an active trap unattended for long periods or in bad weather. If you are unsure about trapping, or catch wildlife by mistake, contact a shelter, rescue, animal control or a qualified professional for guidance.

Track sightings and keep searching

Record credible sightings with the date, time, exact location, direction of travel and who reported it. Mapping the sightings shows you where to concentrate next.

Do not assume your pet is gone after the first few searches. Keep checking shelters and databases, watching social media, following up on sightings, refreshing flyers, asking neighbours and searching likely places. Adjust the search area as new information comes in.

After you find them

Once your pet is home, check for injuries, dehydration, weakness or unusual behaviour. Contact a veterinarian if the animal seems injured or unwell, and seek urgent care for anything serious.

Important reminders

  • Never chase a frightened dog or cat.
  • Stay safe — avoid risky roads, wooded areas, private property and other hazards.
  • Monitor any humane traps closely.
  • Follow local rules about posting flyers or entering private property.
  • Watch for lost-pet scams.
  • Confirm shelter, rescue and animal control hours before visiting.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting to start searching
  • Searching only once
  • Assuming a hiding cat will come when called
  • Chasing the animal
  • Reporting to shelters but never checking again
  • Relying only on social media
  • Ignoring reported sightings
  • Giving up too soon

Preventing future losses

Keep identification tags and microchip registration current. Depending on your pet and situation, a GPS tracker or similar device can also help.

Sources

This guide was compiled and synthesised from:

Last updated 2026-08-09. General guidance for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties, Florida — not veterinary advice. Confirm hours before travelling to any organisation listed here.

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