Lost pet in DFW? Here's exactly what to do in the first 24 hours

Your pet is missing. Don't panic. Follow these steps in order.

IMMEDIATELY:

1. Search your immediate area. Call their name. Check under porches, in garages, behind bushes. Cats often hide within 3 houses.
2. Put their bed/blanket and your worn clothing outside your door. Familiar scents help them navigate home.

WITHIN 1 HOUR: 3. Post on Nextdoor — your immediate neighbors will see it. Include photo, location, and description. 4. Post on Pawboost — generates a lost pet alert for your zip code. Free. Source: pawboost.com 5. Post on DFW Lost and Found Pets Facebook group (50,000+ members). Source: facebook.com/groups/dfwlostandfoundpets 6. Call Dallas Animal Services — (311 or 214-670-6855) to file a lost pet report. Source: dallasanimalservices.org 7. Call Fort Worth Animal Shelter if in Tarrant County — (817) 392-1234. Source: fortworthtexas.gov/animals

WITHIN 24 HOURS: 8. Visit shelters IN PERSON. Don't rely on phone calls alone. Go look.

• Dallas Animal Services — 1818 N Westmoreland Rd, Dallas
• SPCA of Texas — 2400 Lone Star Dr, Dallas. Source: spca.org
• Humane Society of North Texas — 1840 E Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth. Source: hsnt.org
• Arlington Animal Services — 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd

1. Put up flyers with a clear photo, your phone number, and last seen location. Cover a 1-mile radius.
2. Check PetFBI — lost & found database. Source: petfbi.org
3. Contact your microchip company to flag the chip as "lost" and verify your contact info is current.

ONGOING:

• Check shelters every 48 hours in person.
• Refresh your social media posts.
• Consider hiring a pet tracker (yes, they exist in DFW).

Sources:

• Dallas Animal Services
• SPCA of Texas
• PawBoost and PetFBI platforms

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