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Lost Pets
We reunited 5,100 lost pets with their families last year.
Scam alert
The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region has experienced a scam in which people missing their pets receive phone calls from someone pretending to represent our shelter and requesting payment over the phone. Please be aware that HSPPR will never request payment over the phone before returning your pet. We will also never ask you to send verification codes or mention anything about pet trackers on Instagram, WhatsApp, or other messaging platforms. If you receive a suspicious call, do not share any personal information. Instead, visit our Admissions office and speak with a staff member in person to verify any claims.
How to find your lost pet
Take a deep breath. We’re here to help. Here’s what you need to do.
1
Search pets online
Check our online database to see all pets that are currently in the shelter. If you see an animal that you believe may be your missing pet, take note of the Animal Identification Number listed (e.g., A1234567) and head to the shelter to confirm if it’s your pet.
You can also search photos of pets picked up and temporarily housed by good Samaritans who have submitted a found report. Be sure to check with other animal welfare organizations in the area as well.
OR
2
Submit a lost pet report and visit the shelter
Submitting a lost report and actively checking the shelter in person are the most effective ways to reunite with your missing pet. We strongly encourage you to visit the shelter and walk through the kennels; no one knows your pet better than you do.
3
Act Quickly and Search Nearby
Most pets are found less than 1 mile away from home. Missing pets often hide nearby or may have already been found by someone in your neighborhood.
- Start at home: Thoroughly search your house and immediate surroundings. Look in hidden places like under porches, sheds, and bushes.
Set up a scent station: If you’ve lost a cat or small animal, place familiar items like bedding, blankets, or a litter box outside to help attract your pet back home (avoid leaving food out, as it may attract other animals).
Talk to your neighbors: Ask for permission to search their property and see if anyone has seen your pet.
Spread the word: Create a Lost Pet Flyer. Post it around your neighborhood and share it on social media to reach more people.
4
Update microchip contact info
If your pet is microchipped, make sure your contact information is current with the registry. Outdated details can delay or prevent a reunion. Use the Microchip Registry Lookup – AAHA to find your pet’s chip and update your info with the correct company. You can also report your pet as missing so they can alert you if your pet is found. If you don’t know the chip number, contact the vet, shelter, or organization that implanted it. If you have the number, you can also re-register it with our partners at Found Animals.
DocuPet
If you have registered your pet’s license through HSPPR, your new Docupet tag comes eqipped with the HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service. Owners can report their missing pet through their online Docupet account.
Pet owners are encouraged to keep their DocuPet profile up to date with current photos of their pet, medical information, care instructions, identifying features, microchip info, and alternate contacts. The more information in a pet’s profile, the more helpful it will be in getting them home.
Petco Love Lost
Petco Love Lost is a searchable national database that uses patented facial recognition technology to help find lost pets at nearby shelters. Upload a photo of your pet to the Petco Love Lost database after submitting your pet’s lost report to HSPPR.
Other resources
Time is critical when your pet goes missing. That’s why it’s so important to begin your search immediately. After you’ve completed the three most important steps above, you might consider calling on other local animal lovers for help. These online resources alert others to keep a lookout.
Frequently asked questions
If you think you’ve found your missing pet on our website, please come to the shelter in person to confirm their identity and begin the reclaim process. Fees may apply based on the length of their stay, vaccination needs, and any medical care provided. To help reunite with your pet as quickly as possible, please follow the steps below. If you’re missing any required documents, don’t worry, our staff is here to help. Our top priority is bringing pets and their families back together. We also offer spay/neuter support and flexible payment plans to make reclaiming your pet easier. Stop by and talk with us, we’re here to help you bring your pet home.
What to Bring
- 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). We accept cash and debit/credit cards – no checks or American Express.
- 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.
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.
By law, stray dogs are held a minimum of five days and cats a minimum of three days (five days in Pueblo County) before we can make an animal available for adoption. We evaluate each and every animal as an individual, and there’s never a time limit on how long we’ll care for an animal before he’s adopted. We may also work with other shelters/rescues to assist in assessing the specific needs of a pet. In some cases, seriously ill animals or animals with severe behavior problems may be humanely euthanized. As a socially conscious animal shelter, our focus is on the health and well-being of every animal in our care and the safety of the community.
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.
