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How to Find Your Lost Pet


dog in windThe Wake County Animal Center receives lost and stray animals from the unincorporated areas of Wake County and the towns of; Wake Forest, Rolesville, Zebulon, Wendell, Knightdale, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Apex and Morrisville. Many animals are brought to the Center by citizens from all parts of the county and neighboring counties.

The SPCA of Wake County's Lost and Found Center takes in lost and stray animals from the City of Raleigh and the Town of Cary.

It is important to check both centers every three days when looking for a lost pet. It is often difficult to describe and positively identify an animal over the phone. If there is any identification on your pet, both centers will make every effort to contact the owner, but tags and collars are frequently missing or damaged when an animal is lost.

We recommend the following steps when looking for a lost pet:

  1. Fill out a lost animal report on both the Wake County Animal Center’s website and the SPCA of Wake County’s website.

    Note: If you find your pet, please let us know! E-mail Wake County at animalcontrol@co.wake.nc.us to request a cancellation of the posting and submit an online Cancellation Report to the SPCA.
  2. Check the Found Pet listing on the Wake County website. Many people are reunited with their pets through this list.
  3. Review the Impounded Animal list from the Wake County Animal Center. This is updated every 20 minutes, so check often!
  4. Make a Lost Pet Flier with a picture and description of your pet.  Be sure to include your contact information. Hand this flier out in your neighborhood, post at your local vet offices, grocery stores and gas stations.
  5. Visit both the Wake County Animal Center and the SPCA Lost and Found Center! Bring with you the lost pet flier as well as the pet’s rabies vaccination records or a picture of the pet. It is important to have some form of identification linking the pet to you. We want to be sure the person reclaiming a pet is actually the owner! Check each center at least every three days.

For additional steps, check out these helpful tips from the SPCA of Wake County.