Lost and Found

Having a beloved pet go missing is a very stressful event for all pet owners. Hancock County Animal Control works diligently to reunite lost pets with their family. If your pet goes missing, it is imperative to contact the Animal Control Office as soon as possible, and follow the steps below.

What to do if your Pet goes missing

1. Contact Animal Control Immediately

Animal Control will work to match your lost pet with animals entering the shelter and reports of found animals. Be descriptive as possible when reporting a lost pet; provide color, size, gender, color and type of collar if wearing one, and area where he or she was last seen. Reports of lost pets are kept for 30 days. If you find your pet after making a report, please contact Animal Control to have your report removed.

Report a Lost Pet

2. Utilize Social Media

Social media can be a valuable tool to use when searching for a lost pet. If possible, share a picture of your pet and provide the location he or she is missing from. Numerous Facebook groups exist for the purpose of sharing lost and found animals.
Findlay, Ohio Lost and Found Pets
Hancock County of NW Ohio - Pets Lost and Found
Animal Control of Hancock County

3. Post Flyers in the Area Your Pet Went Missing

Print flyers with a photo and description of your pet in the area he or she went missing. Include the best way to contact you should someone find your pet. Search online for helpful templates or click the links below to find lost pet poster generators.
24PetWatch Lost Pet Generators
FindToto Lost Pet Generators

4. Place an Ad in Your Local Newspaper

Many newspapers will print lost and found notices for no charge.
The Courier Website

Ensure the quick and safe return of your pet

Affix a tag to your pet's collar

All dogs over the age of 3 months are required to wear a valid county dog license at all times. The license number can be provided to Animal Control or searched through the County Auditor’s website in order to locate the owner’s name and contact information. Additionally, custom tags can be made with the owner’s address and/or phone number at area merchants.

Utilize Microchips

Microchips are a great, permanent form of identification, however; microchips are only effective if they have been registered with a microchip registry. If your pet is microchipped, be sure the microchip is registered and the information is kept current. Most major microchip manufacturers allow information to be updated free of charge, regardless of membership status. Additionally, Found Animals Registry is a free microchip registry. Any brand of microchip can be registered with Found Animals.

Visit the Found Animals Website