What to do if your pet goes missing?

Having your pet go missing is every loving owner’s worst nightmare.

To help maximise the chances of a swift, happy reunion for lost pets and their families, we’ve put together a decisive plan of action, including practical advice for the initial search, who to contact if ever your pet goes missing, and how to ensure your pet’s microchip can be effectively utilised by rescuers. We’ve also got tips for keeping your pet securely by your side in the first place.

Let’s turn that lost into a found and safe home with their loving family!

What to do first if your pet goes missing

If you can’t find your dog or cat, the first step is a thorough search in and around your home. While this sounds obvious, it can be tricky to keep a level head during the panic of discovering that a furry family member has done their Houdini act.

It’s a good idea to shut all doors to the house and gates to your property first, so you can then settle into methodically searching for your pet. Don’t forget to check common hidey holes such as:

• In cupboards
• Under beds
• In sheds or garages
• In bathrooms, laundry and attic
• Under or inside cars
• Under the house
• In thick vegetation around the house

As well as calling for your pet, try rattling their food bowl, shaking their kibble bag, crinkling their treat packet or squeaking their favourite toy.

Top things to do in the first few hours

If you can’t find your pet on your property, the next step is to ask your neighbours and others in your immediate area for help in the search. Get them to check the above locations on their properties too, in case your pet has been accidentally shut in somewhere or is injured and didn’t quite make it home.

Even if your neighbours don’t find your pet, making them aware of your pet’s missing status means they’ll then be able to keep a look out too.

It’s also vital that your contact details are up to date in the microchip registry that your pet’s chip is listed in. If you’re unsure, check ASAP by searching your pet’s microchip number in the relevant database.

Many owners don’t realise that there are multiple separate microchip databases for pets across Australia. If you’re unsure which database your pet is registered in, you can check by:

• Looking at their official microchip paperwork
• Entering their microchip number in Pet Address, which searches the four main private registries
• If you have a greyhound, checking the GRV Microchip Registry

Here’s a breakdown of what to do in your state or territory:

• If you are in NSW, contact the NSW Pet Registry to mark your pet as missing and update their details
• If you are South Australia, contact Dogs and Cats Online to report your missing pet and check local shelters
  • Note: platform availability can vary by council
• In Victoria, reach out to your local council pound or animal shelter – they’ll hold lost pets and can check microchip details and contact you
• In the Northern Territory, contact your local animal pound to see if your pet has been brought in
• Elsewhere in Australia (QLD, WA, TAS, ACT), start with your local council, vet clinics and local animal shelter – they handle lost pets, check microchips and can help spread the word

Report your missing pet to authorities and shelters

If your initial search is unsuccessful, it’s vital that you promptly report your pet as missing, ideally within 24 hours, to any local and surrounding animal facilities that could receive your pet as a stray, remembering that lost pets can sometimes wander surprising distances.

Make a list and methodically contact:

• Local veterinary clinics
• Your local council and then surrounding councils too (as councils are responsible for managing pound facilities)
• Any regional animal shelters

Have your pet’s microchip details ready, as well as a description of your pet and your best contact details.

Share your pet’s details online and offline

To help recruit members of the public in your search, you can share details about your pet online and offline. Many suburbs or council areas have general social media groups or specific “Lost and Found” groups that members of the public can post on for wayward pets. You can also ask friends to share your post to get a wider reach.

Additionally, you can go back to basics and print out eye-catching posters to put up around your neighbourhood.

Ensure you include a clear picture and description of your pet, as well as your best contact details.

How microchipping helps reunite lost pets

Stray pets won’t always be recognisable by their appearance alone, as injuries, starvation and dehydration can alter their appearance. Pets with microchips are far more likely to be reunited with their families, as microchips can’t fall off or be removed easily like a collar can.

If your pet is found by a member of the public, they can take your pet to an authorised scanner, such as a council pound, veterinary clinic or reputable animal shelter. This facility will be able to scan your pet to obtain their microchip number, and then use their credentials to log in to the relevant database and obtain your contact details.

How to prevent your pet from going missing

Prevention is better than worry when it comes to missing pets!

As discussed in detail above, it’s vital to ensure that the contact details registered to your pet’s microchip are always kept up to date. It’s also a good idea to have your pet wear a collar that bears your best contact number, so that members of the public can phone you straight away should your pet ever do a runner.

On a day-to-day basis, keep your pet confined to your property with secure fencing, and ensure that they’re safely restrained on lead or in an appropriate carrier when out and about. Take extra care during high-risk events for pet escapes, such as during fireworks or storms for noise-phobic pets, if you’re hosting an event at your house where doors may be left open, or if you’re moving house.

You may be interested in these articles:
• How to keep your indoor cat active healthy and happy
• How to help your dog live a long and healthy life

Discover more articles and insights on The Dish.

27 May 2026