Have You Lost Your Pet?

We’re so sorry that you’ve lost your pet. As pet owners ourselves, we know that this can be an extremely stressful and difficult time for you. Below you’ll find a number of steps you should follow to help maximize the opportunities to find your pet.

If you’re looking for a lost pet and they are microchipped, the good news is that your pet is over 2x more likely to be returned home. Be sure to call your veterinarian and/or the microchip company right away to make sure your contact information is up-to-date.

If you live in Nashville/Davidson County, you should check first with Metro Animal Care and Control. MACC is our city’s central hub for Lost and Found pets. They are located at: 5125 Harding Pl, Nashville, TN 37211 and via phone: (615) 862-7928

You need as many people looking for your pet as possible and this is the best way to communicate. Neon signs are eye catching. Be sure to post signs in areas where you think your pet went missing then work outward from there.

This link shows you how to make signs and where to place them: https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/neon-posters/

Share fliers with your neighbors, local veterinarians, delivery drivers and postal carriers!

Pet Harbor

NextDoor

Facebook Lost and Found Pet Groups

Skippy Lou’s Lost and Found

Lost My Doggie

Petco Lost Pet

The more social channels the better! Ensure a swift reunion by including photos of your pet, a description of where your pet was last seen and your contact information.

Visit local vet offices. Bring your flyer. Drop it off. Also visit other area rescues. Stay diligent. And keep checking with your local County Shelter and on Pet Harbor daily.

Found a Stray/Lost Pet?

Nashville Humane is a managed admissions shelter, who does not have the capacity to take in stray/lost animals. Our goal is to save the animals who are already living in shelters that are most at risk for euthanasia.

However, Nashville Humane does have a 24/7 Microchip Scanning Station outside our gates for you to utilize if you’ve found a pet.

One out of three animals goes missing in their lifetime and the possibility of reuniting them with their owner once at the shelter drops to 5-18%. So, what you do when you find a stray/lost pet really matters! Refer to the steps below to ensure the pet you found has the best chance of being reunited with their family.

Here are some steps to take if you’ve found a pet.

*If a pet is aggressive, appears to need immediate medical care, or if you are physically unable to care for the pet in Davidson County, please call Metro Animal Care and Control first at 615-862-7928!

1. Secure the pet, look for any injuries, and provide water. Note the exact location you found the pet. If possible, walk the pet around the neighborhood, asking others if they recognize it.

2. Check for an identifying rabies tag or name tag. Call and text the owners, OR call Metro Animal Care and Control at 615-862-7928 with the rabies tag number.
3. Have the pet checked for a microchip at any vet clinic or utilize our 24/7 Microchip Scanning Station at Nashville Humane (213 Oceola Ave). If a chip is found, use this link to find the registered owner: Microchip Database Lookup

4. Take a photo of the pet in good lighting by getting a front-on nose shot that shows the pet’s face.
5. Submit a “Found Pet Notice” on 24Petconnect and include a photo here: 24PetConnect.

6. Post a FOUND report on Paw Boost. This resource connects with Facebook too!

7. Consider offering to hold the pet for a STRAYcation during the required stray hold period. Note the required stray hold period for an animal without identification is 3 days, and the stray hold period for an animal with identification is 7 days. Metro Animal Care and Control can provide you with everything you need for that time period (Leash, bowl, food, crate, litter, and basic vaccinations).

8. After filling out the FOUND PET form, please also post the found pet on neighborhood and local lost and found social media pages below. Tip: Do not mention gender or collar details. Remember, the goal is to locate the owner, not to rehome the pet. If you are contacted by another person directly claiming to be the owner, ask for proof of ownership before returning the pet. If you aren’t sure what to do, contact Metro Animal Care and Control at 615-862-7928  for assistance.

Social Media Resources:
9. Post signs in the neighborhood. Include a photo and your contact info. Metro Animal Care and Control can give you signs if you need help!

10. If you need to bring a stray or found animal to the shelter, please contact Metro Animal Care and Control directly at 615-862-7928 to schedule a time to bring in your found furry friend.  Since Metro Animal Care and Control is the animal control for Nashville/Davidson County, most owners will check their facility first. They will hold the pet through its stray holding period. If unclaimed, the animal’s temperament and health will be assessed for entry into their adoption program and/or rescue placement.
 
If you are outside of Davidson County, please contact your local animal care and control for next steps on finding a lost/stray animal. 

Abandonment is now illegal in Tennessee, but it still happens. As of July 1, 2025, abandoning an animal is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, and a felony if it happens again. We know that life can be hard, and sometimes people feel like they have no other option. We also recognize that the need in our communities is often greater than what shelters like ours can provide. But even then, abandoning an animal is never the answer. Abandoning a pet puts them and the community in immediate danger, spreads disease, and makes it harder for shelters to give them the care they need. If you need assistance with an animal in your care, please call us at 615-352-1010 or fill out the request form to get in contact with a staff member.

Community Cats

Community cats (feral cats) are un-owned and generally non-socialized cats who, with the help of humane and effective programs such as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Return-to-Home (RTH), may thrive in their outdoor homes. If you have encountered a community cat or kitten in your area, click here for more information on how to help. In 2016, Metro Nashville/Metro Animal Care & Control (MACC) implemented a Community cat policy for Davidson County/Nashville in an effort to manage the needs of our city and most effectively help ‘stray’ cats in our neighborhoods. Find out more information here!

What about kittens?

During the spring and summer months, thousands of kittens are brought to animal shelters by well-meaning good Samaritans. If you find kittens, please think twice before removing them from their outside home. Kittens are 50% less likely to survive when taken away from their mothers before they reach 8 weeks old.

What to do if you find a kitten >>

Have Additional Questions or Need Additional Assistance?

If you have additional questions or need additional assistance, you can visit our Pawsitive Impact Program page.