Lost pet: the first steps

Right away: search the area

Many animals stay close by at first. Search the surroundings calmly, ideally at quiet times of day, early in the morning or in the evening.

• Ask neighbours, delivery drivers and people out walking.
• Cats often hide in cellars, garages and garden sheds: ask your neighbours to take a look.
• Leave something with a familiar smell outside your door, such as a blanket.

Inform the animal shelter and the lost and found office

In Germany, found animals are largely subject to the rules on found property. They are usually taken to an animal shelter acting on behalf of the municipality. Report the loss to the shelter in your area and to your municipal lost and found office, and follow up regularly.

Also inform veterinary practices nearby: found or injured animals are often brought there first.

Report your pet to a registry

A microchip only helps if it is registered. In Germany there are free pet registries such as TASSO e. V. and FINDEFIX, the registry of the Deutscher Tierschutzbund. Check that your contact details there are up to date and report your pet as missing.

Spread the word

• Posters with a photo, place, date and phone number in the neighbourhood, at vets and in shops.
• Local social media groups and pet search websites.
• Stay reachable and check any lead before paying money: scams by so-called finders do happen.

What Qevik can do, and what it cannot

Qevik offers no tracking. The Qevik map does show lost and found offices and drop-off points near you that you can contact during your search.