What to do if your pet is lost
Visit shelters & report your pet as lost
It’s critical to visit all nearby shelters to look through their rooms and report your pet as lost. Maryland stray hold is only 72 hours, so it’s important to visit quickly and often.
- Baltimore City: Contact MD SPCA or BARCS
- Baltimore County: Contact Baltimore County Animal Services
- Shelter Directory
Post on Petco Love Lost
Make a lost pet post, including a photo, on Petco Love Lost. This online platform uses facial recognition tools to match lost dogs to strays in animal shelters. The Maryland SPCA and other area shelters are Petco Love Lost partners.
Please be aware: Petco Love Lost updates photos once every 24 hours. The only way to be certain whether your pet is at a shelter is to visit in person and speak with a staff member.
Report to microchip company
If your pet is microchipped, contact the microchip company and report your pet missing. Be sure the contact information they have for you is current.
Check social sites
Use social media to post about your lost pet as well as check found-pet postings. Include a current photo of your pet and leave multiple ways for people to contact you.
- Facebook lost-and-found pages
- Nextdoor, a free private social network for your neighborhood community.
- Craigslist.
Post flyers
Post flyers in the area your pet went missing. Neighborhoods, businesses, and veterinary clinics are all good locations. Ask individual people if they’ve seen your pet. And provide them your contact information.
What happens if your lost pet is brought to the Maryland SPCA
The Maryland SPCA has been taking excellent care of your pet since they were brought to us. There may be fees for the care, food, housing, and veterinary care they received.
To Reclaim Your Pet From The Maryland SPCA
Bring evidence
Bring evidence the pet is yours, such as a microchip registered to you, veterinary records, adoption/breeder paperwork, or clear photos of your pet with you or in your home.
Bring ID
Bring a valid government-issued ID.
Pay all fees
Pay all fees associated with the care of your pet.
- $40 impound charge.
- $20 per night boarding.
- $50 exam (includes vaccines, medication, and exam).
- $25 microchip.
- $40 spay/neuter (you’ll need to sign your consent, and we’ll release your pet after surgery).
Microchip and spay/neuter surgery services can be offered for a discount. Please discuss options with a counselor.
Please note: we don’t want fees to get in the way of reuniting owners. Contact us to discuss your situation.
The Maryland SPCA’s main
priority is to reunite lost pets
with their families.
For all lost pet or reclaim questions, please call our Admissions Department at 410-235-8826 ext. 2502
Hours To Reclaim Pets:
Monday – Friday
1pm – 7pm
Saturday
12pm – 5pm
Sunday
CLOSED
