What to Do If Your Pet Gets Lost

A pet can slip out during a delivery, bolt at a loud noise, or vanish through a gate that didn’t quite latch. In those first hours, small choices matter: where you look, who you call, what you post, and how quickly your contact details can be matched to your animal if someone finds them.

Below are the practical steps that tend to bring pets home in Australia: a tight early search close to where they went missing, fast notifications to the right places, clear flyers and posts, and a quick check that your microchip details are actually searchable and current.

Act quickly (especially in the first day)

If your pet has only just gone missing, start searching immediately and keep it local at first. Many dogs and cats stay within a surprisingly small radius early on, often hiding quietly in familiar cover—under decks, behind sheds, in dense shrubs, or inside a neighbour’s garage that’s been closed without anyone realising.^{1, 2}

Outside, the risks are simple and real: traffic, dehydration, exposure, and panic-driven running that makes a straightforward search harder.²

Before anything happens: reduce the odds of losing a pet

Microchip (and make sure it can actually identify you)

Microchipping is widely used across Australia and is a legal requirement in some jurisdictions (for example, Queensland requires cats and dogs to be microchipped by 12 weeks of age).³

Just as important: the microchip does not provide GPS tracking. It’s a permanent ID number that can be read by a scanner at a vet, pound, shelter, or council—then matched to your contact details in a registry.^{4, 6}

In practical terms, a microchip only works if your details in the registry are current and accessible. Councils and RSPCA branches regularly remind owners to update their contact details (and some councils specify timeframes for updating after changes).^{5, 9}

Check your microchip registry now (some owners need to transfer)

In 2025, Australian shelters and councils warned that pets registered with the private registry HomeSafeID may become difficult to reunite, because owner details may not be viewable when a microchip is scanned. If you’re unsure where your pet is registered, you can look it up using Pet Address (you’ll need the microchip number).^{4, 6, 7}

Collar and ID tag

A visible tag is the fastest form of identification for a member of the public. Keep the phone number current and make sure the tag is still readable.

Training and routines

Reliable recall, comfort with being handled, and a familiar routine don’t stop every escape, but they can reduce wandering and make recovery safer once your pet is sighted.

Immediate steps when your pet goes missing

1. Search your home and yard first, then the immediate streets. Look under the house, behind bins, inside sheds, and anywhere quiet and enclosed. Ask neighbours to check garages, backyards, and any doors they may have closed.^{1, 2}
2. Call local vets, shelters, pounds and council. Someone who finds your pet may take them to the nearest clinic for a microchip scan, or drop them at a shelter or council facility.¹
3. Post clear, local alerts. Use local Facebook groups and lost-and-found pages in your suburb or council area, plus any local online databases that are active in your region. Include one sharp photo, the nearest cross-streets, and a phone number that will be answered.

If your pet is sighted but won’t approach, avoid a noisy chase. Note the time, direction of travel, and where they disappear into cover. Return quietly with familiar-smelling items (a bed, a worn T‑shirt, favourite treats) and keep watch from a distance.

Creating an effective lost pet flyer

A good flyer is plain, readable at a glance, and consistent with your online posts. Use a single, clear recent photo and keep the details factual and specific:

• species (dog/cat), breed type (if known), colour/markings, size
• where and when last seen (suburb + nearest cross-street)
• contact number (large font)
• microchipped: yes/no (optional but often helpful)

Place flyers where people naturally pause: local shops, noticeboards, parks, vet clinics, and along walking routes near where your pet went missing. Remove posters once your pet is found (it helps the community keep paying attention to current notices).¹

Using technology without being misled by it

Microchips: identification, not location

Microchips can’t show a live location. They help reunite pets after a scan, by linking the microchip number to registry contact details.⁴

GPS trackers

GPS collars and tags can help with real-time location, but they rely on battery life and coverage. They’re most useful as a preventative tool, not a recovery guarantee.

Microchip details: check via Pet Address

Pet Address is a search tool that can help you identify which participating database holds your pet’s microchip record, so you can update details with the correct registry (you’ll need the microchip number).^{4, 6}

Enlist the community (and keep the message consistent)

Neighbours, regular dog walkers, delivery drivers, and local shop staff often become the quiet eyes of a search. Give them something they can act on: one photo, one phone number, one location. Keep updates short, factual, and frequent enough that people don’t assume the search is over.

Approaching a scared or injured lost pet

A lost pet may behave unlike themselves—keeping distance, freezing, bolting, or snapping if frightened or in pain. Move slowly, keep your body turned side-on, speak softly, and avoid reaching over the head. If you can’t safely contain an injured or distressed animal, contact your local RSPCA or council for advice rather than escalating the risk with a struggle.²

Arrange a vet check after they’re home

Even a short time away can mean dehydration, injuries (especially pads and claws), parasite exposure, or stress-related illness. A prompt veterinary check helps pick up problems early and updates any overdue preventive care.

Close the loop

Once your pet is safely home, notify shelters, vets, council, and any online listings or local groups you used. It prevents duplicate call-outs and helps others’ lost pet posts stay visible.¹

Coping during the search

Searching for a missing animal is exhausting in a very particular way: bursts of hope, long quiet stretches, and constant decision-making. Keep a simple log (times, suburbs, sightings, calls made) and lean on a couple of practical helpers so you can eat, sleep, and keep going.

References

1. RSPCA ACT – Lost and Found (tips for looking for a lost pet)
2. RSPCA WA – Helping lost pets: what to do
3. Queensland Government – Laws for pet owners in Queensland (microchipping requirements)
4. Pet Address – Microchip database lookup (search tool and importance of current contact details)
5. Brisbane City Council – Register your dog (microchipping and keeping registry details up to date)
6. RSPCA Queensland – Important update: Pet microchipping (HomeSafeID closure guidance)
7. Government of Western Australia (Dept. of Communities) – HomeSafeID removed from dog and cat regulations (media release)
8. Townsville City Council – Animal registration and legislation (microchipping and Pet Address)
9. Toowoomba Regional Council – Dog & cat registration (microchipping regulations and updating details)