They're probably closer than you think
Most cats are found within 3 houses of home. Most dogs don't travel more than a mile from where they went missing. Search your block carefully before expanding.
Don't Panic — Let's Find Them
Lost a Pet?
We know how scary this is. The fastest way to get your pet home is to start now — report them as lost on Petco Love Lost and check the map for sightings nearby. Most pets are found within a mile of where they went missing.
Both buttons open Petco Love Lost — a free national map + photo-match tool.
What To Do Right Now
Most pets are recovered within the first 24 hours when their humans act quickly. Walk through these in order.
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1
Search where they were last seen
Cats especially tend to stay close — within 3–5 houses for indoor cats, and rarely more than a mile for dogs. Walk the area calmly and quietly, calling their name in a normal tone.
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2
Report on Petco Love Lost
Upload a clear photo. Their facial recognition tool will automatically match against found pets in the area, including any pets brought to us.
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3
Place a familiar scent outside
Leave a piece of unwashed laundry, their bed, or the litter box at your front door. The scent can carry up to a mile and helps them find their way home.
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4
Check shelters and animal control daily
Strays are usually held 3–5 days before being made available. Visit in person — descriptions over the phone can miss your pet.
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5
Post in neighborhood groups
Nextdoor, Facebook neighborhood groups, and local lost-pet pages spread quickly. Include a clear photo and your phone number.
Things Worth Knowing
Familiar scents help
Place unwashed clothing, their bed, or even the litter box near your front door. Scent travels much farther than sound.
Quiet beats loud
Loud calling can scare a frightened pet into hiding. Sit quietly with food or favorite treats and let them come to you — especially at dusk and dawn.
Check microchip info
Log in to your microchip registry and confirm your phone number and email are current. Most reunifications happen via a chip scan.
Places To Check In Person
Visit in person — phone descriptions miss pets. Check every other day for at least two weeks.
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Corpus Christi Animal Care Services
The city shelter — visit daily for the first 5 days.
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Gulf Coast Humane Society
We post intakes on our adoption pages once their stray hold is up. You're welcome to visit us during open hours, too.
