I Lost a Pet

Stray Pet Reclaim & Municipal Services

San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) is a non-kill organization that works in partnership with Animal Care Services of San Antonio to save lives on the city euthanasia list. If your pet has gone missing within San Antonio, please review the following information regarding stray holds and reclaiming your animal.

Service Areas & Stray Intake

The City of San Antonio and surrounding municipalities provide animal control services for local residents. If you live within these areas, stray animals are typically processed through municipal intake before becoming eligible for SAPA! programs.

Stray Hold Periods

Hold times vary depending on the jurisdiction where the animal was found:
  • City of San Antonio/Local Service Areas: Stray animals are generally held for a period of 2 days to allow owners time to identify and reclaim them.
  • Extended Jurisdictions: Animals found in specific surrounding county areas may be held for up to 5 days.

What You Can Do If Your Animal Is Missing

File a Lost Pet Report Through Petco Love Lost

Fill out a detailed report, including if your pet is microchipped and/or wearing identification tags. Attach a good photo to the report, and Petco Love Lost will alert you if someone uploads a photo of a found match.

REPORT A LOST PET

Report On Social Media

If you are a Facebook user, you can post a "missing" message on the page San Antonio Lost and Found Pets. That page is run by a group that posts both lost pets and found pets. We also recommend utilizing neighborhood apps, like Nextdoor, when trying to reunite with a pet. Odds are, your pet is nearby where they went missing, so utilizing the community is a great way to bring them home.

VIEW FACEBOOK GROUP

Check Animal Care Services (ACS)

If your pet is picked up by municipal officers within the city limits, they are typically transported to the San Antonio Animal Care Services facility located at 4710 State Hwy 151. Time is of the essence, so we recommend checking their online intake gallery immediately to see animals currently in their care.

VISIT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Happy dog sitting indoors on a rug.
I Found a Pet

Have you found a stray animal that you're not sure what to do with? Please don't assume it has been abandoned or abused. Often, pets are missing for an extended period of time and may appear neglected or scared. Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that the animal is safely returned to its owner.

What You Can Do If You Found a Pet

Keep the Pet Safe and File a Found Pet Report

Submit a found report, including a picture, through Petco Love Lost. Their recognition technology can automatically connect you with anyone who has submitted a lost pet with a similar photo. Keep the animal if you can. Statistically, the owner is likely nearby. If the pet can be returned to their owner without ever having to come to the shelter, that's the best case scenario for everyone.

REPORT A FOUND PET

Check to See if the Animal Has ID Tags or a Microchip

Check to see if the animal has a rabies or license tag on their collar. There may be a name, number or address on it. If it's just the tag number, SAPA can trace it. Call 210-332-5441, provide the license and/or rabies tag number, along with a description of the animal, and we'll help you find the owner. You can also bring the pet to most local vets and they can scan to see if the pet has a microchip, which can also connect you with the owner.

Report On Social Media

If you are a Facebook user, you can post a "found" message on the page San Antonio Lost and Found Pets. That page is run by a group that posts both lost pets and found pets. They advocate for folks to bring found pets to SAPA. We also recommend utilizing neighborhood apps, like Nextdoor, when trying to reunite with a pet. Statistically, the pet you found is likely from nearby!

VIEW FACEBOOK GROUP

Contact Animal Care Services (ACS)

Animal Care Services can be reached at 210-207-6000. Be sure the pet is contained to an area, like a backyard or a room in the home, that the animal control officer doesn't need to search.

VISIT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Lost & Found FAQs

What are the fees for reclaiming a pet?
What is Petco Love Lost?
How much detail should I share in my lost report?
What can I do to avoid losing my pet?