Lost Pets
Take a deep breath. Let's find your pet.
Most pets are found within 24 hours and less than 1 mile from home.
Search pets at our shelter
Check if we already have your pet in our care
Visit the shelter in person
Walk the kennels yourself: you know your pet best. Our staff will help you through the reclaim process.
What to bring: Government ID, proof of ownership (photos, vet records, microchip info, vaccination records)
Check if someone found your pet
Good Samaritans post found pets here when they can’t bring them to us
File a lost pet report
Alert our network and community to keep watch for your pet
What's next?
Additional ways to search and important information
If your pet is microchipped:
- Update contact info immediately – Outdated details prevent reunions
- Report as missing to the chip company so they can alert you if found
- Don’t know your chip number? Contact the vet, shelter, or organization that implanted it
DocuPet license holders:
- Your DocuPet tag includes HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service
- Report missing pets through your online DocuPet account
- Keep your profile updated with current photos, medical info, and emergency contacts
- Start immediately: Time is critical – begin searching right away
- Search hiding spots: Under porches, in sheds, bushes, garages, and other small spaces where scared pets hide
- Set up scent stations: Place familiar bedding, your worn clothing, or their litter box outside (avoid food which attracts other animals)
- Talk to neighbors: Ask permission to search their property and outbuildings
- Canvas the area: Walk or drive slowly through your neighborhood calling their name
- Check with workers: Ask mail carriers, delivery drivers, landscapers who are out regularly
- Post flyers: Use high-visibility locations like busy intersections, community boards, local businesses
1. Search these platforms
2. Post your pet
- Update contact info immediately – Outdated details prevent reunions
- Report as missing to the chip company so they can alert you if found
- Don’t know your chip number? Contact the vet, shelter, or organization that implanted it
Specialized pet databases
Petco Love Lost is a searchable national database that uses patented facial recognition technology to help find lost pets at nearby shelters.
Local resources to search & post
- Veterinary clinics: Check their lost pet boards and ask to post flyers
- Pet stores: Many have community boards for lost pets
- Dog parks: Ask regular visitors if they’ve seen your pet
- The Admissions Lost & Found lobby in Colorado Springs is open from 9:00 am-6:00 pm daily for reclaims. The Admissions Lost & Found lobby in Pueblo is open from 8:30 am-5:00 pm
- What you’ll need:
- FIRST: If you are not the owner but wish to reclaim the animal, you must have the owner’s permission before coming to reclaim. Please call us at 719-302-8766 (Colorado Springs Shelter) or 719-544-3005 (Pueblo Shelter) if you have any questions.
- Proof of Ownership: Recent photos/videos, vet/adoption paperwork, microchip info, or past license records through HSPPR.
- Photo ID and form of payment: Bring a government-issued ID or other official ID with your name and photo (e.g., student ID, military ID, library card). You must be 18 or older to reclaim an animal.
- Vaccination and License Proof: All dogs, cats, and some small animals must leave with a valid rabies vaccine and pet license (varies by jurisdiction). Bring any previous vaccination/license records. Don’t have vaccine records? That’s okay. We can get them up to date on their rabies vaccination here.
- Fees: fees can vary due to a variety of factors – like if you pet is currently licensed, how long they have been here, if they have received medical care, etc. We accept cash and debit/credit cards – no checks or American Express. See below for typical fees:
- -Impound fee (can vary depending on if you pet has a current license and if the animal has been impounded within the last year) – Ranges from $40-$70
- -Boarding fees $15/night, each night your pet stays here
- -Intake vaccinations $15/vaccine–varies by species.
- -Rabies vaccine (if you pet is not up to date or you do not have proof of rabies) – $15
- -License: Colorado Springs: $20 spayed or neutered, $35 if unaltered. Pueblo residents: $12 spayed/neutered, $25 if unaltered.
- -Medical fees – varies- if your pet came in sick or injured and required immediate veterinary care
Petco Love Lost maps
Use Petco Love Lost's interactive maps to help locate or report a lost pet.
Colorado Springs map
Pueblo map
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you keep stray pets?
A standard stray hold for any lost pet is five days.
How do I know if my pet came in deceased?
Unfortunately, some pets come to us deceased – they may have been hit by a car or attacked by a wild animal. Due to the sensitivity of these situations, we don’t post photos online. But we do want to help give you closure. We make a listing of deceased pets received at our facility available here. Please know this is not necessarily a comprehensive list, as not all animals are able to be picked up and brought in from roadways. The list is typically updated daily, Monday – Friday. If you think your animal may have come in deceased, please call our lost and found team:
Colorado Springs: (719)-302-8766
Pueblo: (719)-544-3005
If we confirm that your pet arrived deceased, we can help you arrange memorial services.
Why do you charge fees for reclaiming my pet?
We work hard to ensure the health and safety of your pet while at our facility, even if it’s just for a short time. We do charge boarding fees on a per-day basis to help cover the cost of caring for your pet during her stay. If your pet receives necessary medical care from our veterinary team, the total due may increase. By law, other fees associated with ensuring your pet meets rabies vaccination and licensing regulations may be required. Our customer service team will walk you through a description of these charges.
Found someone else's pet?
Help them get home too! If you’ve found a lost animal, we can help you reunite them with their family.
Need immediate help?
Additional ways to search and important information
Call us
If your pet is injured, trapped, or in immediate danger
Colorado Springs: 719.302.8798
Pueblo: 719.544.3005
(Note: Phone lines can be very busy – visiting in person is often faster)