Skip links

Lost And Found

File Lost Report
File Found Report
View Lost & Found Listings

Lost and Found

Lost a pet? Found a stray pet? We are here to help and provide the assistance you need if you are searching for your lost pet, or what to do if you have found a pet.

Finding Your Lost Pet

If you have lost a pet, please follow the steps below:

  • Check La Plata County Humane Society Lost and Found Listings and submit a lost report online or by calling the Shelter at (970) 259-2847 x101. (If you call, please email us a photo of your pet.) Filing a report does not guarantee that we will be able to notify you if your pet is brought to the shelter. Please call often and also when your pet is found.
  • If your pet is microchipped, call the microchip company. All pets adopted from LPCHS are microchipped through 24PetWatch.
  • Come to the shelter and visit our kennel and cattery to check for and identify your pet. State law requires us to hold stray pets for 5 days if they arrive with a collar, tags and are microchipped, and 3 days for stray pets without identification, before making them available for adoption.
  • Post a photo and description of your pet on the lost and found pet board at the shelter and the La Plata County Lost and Found FB page. Share on social media.
  • Visit Missing Pet Partnership for resources, and engage with a Missing Pet Consultant.
  • Search your neighborhood thoroughly, talk with your neighbors about your lost pet.
  • Put up “lost” posters in your neighborhood and get permission to post at vet offices, pet-supply stores, groomers and other local business.
  • Post a “lost” ad in the Durango Herald, Pine River Times, Craigslist, and post on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.) Include a detailed description of your pets appearance, breed, sex, age, date lost, a good quality photo and contact information.

Don’t give up on finding you pet! Pets can be reunited with their families after days, weeks or months after being reported lost.

If You Find a Lost Pet

If you have found a lost pet, please follow the steps below:

  • Check the pet for identification. The owners contact information will be on the collar or tag of the lost pet.
  • File a found report online or by calling the Shelter at (970) 259-2847 x101.
  • Check if the pet is microchipped by bringing the found pet to the shelter were we will scan for a chip and check lost reports in hopes of reuniting with the owners. (If found outside of La Plata County, please take to nearest shelter.)
  • Post a photo and description of the found pet on the lost and found pet board at the shelter and La Plata County Lost and Found FB page.
  • Visit Missing Pet Partnership for resources and engage with a Missing Pet Consultant.
  • Put up “found” posters in your neighborhood and get permission to post at vet offices, pet-supply stores, groomers and other local business.
  • Post a “found” ad in the Durango Herald, Pine River Times, Craigslist, and post on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.) Include a detailed description of the found pets appearance, breed, sex, age, date found, a good quality photo and contact information.

*If you plan to take ownership of the animal until the owner is found, keep in mind that after 72 hours of caring for a stray animal in the State of Colorado, you will then be considered the owner.

Tips to Help Prevent Your Pet From Becoming Lost

  • Spay or neuter your pet. Altered pets are less likely to roam and fight. Sign-up for our monthly low cost spay and neuter clinic. If you can’t afford the surgery, local spay/neuter programs such as Spay Colorado or D-SNiP may be able to help you.
  • Microchip your pet. This quick, simple and almost painless procedure is used to help identify your pet. All pets adopted from LPCHS are microchipped through 24PetWatch and we offer walk-in microchipping services to all pets.
  • Secure your home, yard, fences, screen doors and window screens.
  • Enroll in training classes and teach your dog rapid recall (coming when called).
  • Visit Missing Pet Partnership for resources and engage with a Missing Pet Consultant.
  • Safely transport your pet in a secure carrier.
  • Keep detailed records; license certificates, vaccinations, photos and current contact information. This will help prove the pet is yours.
Call Now Button