What to do if you have lost or found an animal. Home What we do Lost and Found Lost and Found RSPCA NSW understands how heartbreaking it can be when a beloved pet goes missing. That’s why we aim to reunite every animal who comes through our doors lost or as a stray with their owners. Every year, thousands of animals are successfully reunited with their families. On this page, you can select one of the options below to either learn more about what to do if you’ve lost your pet, or what to do if you’ve found someone’s pet. What do you do if you find a stray cat If you have found a stray adult cat, or stray kittens we’ve got you covered with our step by step action plan on what to do next. We have even included a handy decision tree to help you decide what is the best course of action! I've found a stray catI've found stray kittensLost a pet or found one? I’ve lost my pet I’ve found a lost petLost and Found FAQsHow do I find out what animals have come into RSPCA NSW’s care? You can contact our RSPCA NSW shelters here. We would suggest checking with your local shelter and any that are in your region as animals can sometimes travel great distances. If RSPCA NSW does not have my pet, where else can I look? If your animal is not in our care, we suggest contacting all the local pounds, shelters and veterinarians in your area. You can also check the many online Facebook groups for missing and found pets. It’s very important to update your pet’s microchip record to reflect that he is missing. You could also consider posting notices around your neighbourhood and in your local newspaper. Even if you do not find your animal immediately, it’s important to search regularly in case your pet is found at a later date. Can I come to your shelters to look for my pet? We would suggest phoning your local RSPCA shelter before visiting us. All animals currently in RSPCA NSW’s care who have come in as lost or strays are entered into our system so if you animal is in our care, our teams will have records of this. You are welcome to come to our shelters and speak to our staff during opening hours. You can find your local RSPCA NSW shelter here. Can I leave my pet’s information with RSPCA NSW so I can be contacted if she ends up in your care? Unfortunately, as a charity, we do not have the resources to conduct regular searches for your animal on your behalf. We suggest you regularly check what animals are in our care by contacting your local RSPCA NSW shelter. What should I do if I find a livestock animal? If you find a livestock animal, please contact your local council. What do I do if I find a pocket pet, such as a ferret, guinea pig or rabbit? If you find a pocket pet, try to locate the owner in your area. Check with your neighbours and put up found posters. What should I do if I find a native animal? If you find a native animal, contact a local wildlife organisation such as ARC, RRANA or WIRES. If you can safely collect and contain the animal, you should take him to a veterinary clinic immediately. Dogs Die in Hot Cars It can take just six minutes for a dog to die in a hot car. Learn more Report a Cruelty Case Give a voice to the voiceless. Report animal cruelty today. Find out more Become a monthly donor and transform the lives of animals in need today. Donate Now
