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Lost or found a pet in Jacksonville

What to do first in Jacksonville, from local animal services’ guidance, and who to call.
What happened?

Jacksonville Animal Care & Protective Services

City stray shelter; call for an intake appointment. Managed community cats are not impounded solely for roaming

904-630-2489

What to do if your pet is missing

  1. Now

    Add a photo and where your pet was last seen. We’ll show you pets posted nearby that could be yours. Each one is a lead to check, not proof.

    Start with a photoFree and private. No account needed.

  2. Next

    What local animal services ask:

    • File a lost report and check Petco Love Lost and shelter listings.
    • Contact ACPS promptly about a possible lead.
    • Bring photo ID and proof of ownership when reclaiming your pet.
    ACPS lost-pet instructions (opens in a new tab)

    FindLostPets and the shelter keep separate reports. It helps to file one with the shelter too.

    How long shelters hold a pet

    Jacksonville's code generally requires impounded dogs and cats to be held at least five days from capture; exceptions apply, including young litters and cats without ID. Contact the shelter quickly.

    This is a general rule, not a date for your pet. Go in person as early as you can, and ask the shelter how long it will keep a pet that could be yours.

    More details about hold times

    Official source:Jacksonville Code 462.601 (opens in a new tab)

  3. Keep checking

    • Look at the shelter’s listings again, and go in person when you can.
    • Open your search here again to see what has been posted since.
    • Write down who you called and any possible sightings, then make a flyer and share it.
    Shelter search checklist Make a flyer

What to do if you found a pet

  1. Now

    Answer three quick questions and see if someone nearby is missing them.

    Look for their ownerPrivate until you choose to share. No account needed.

  2. Next

    What local animal services ask:

    • If safe, check for a tag and arrange a microchip scan.
    • File a found report through the city’s Petco Love Lost instructions.
    • Call ACPS to confirm intake arrangements before bringing a pet.
    ACPS found-pet instructions (opens in a new tab)

    FindLostPets and the shelter keep separate reports. It helps to file one with the shelter too.

    How long shelters hold a pet

    Jacksonville's code generally requires impounded dogs and cats to be held at least five days from capture; exceptions apply, including young litters and cats without ID. Contact the shelter quickly.

    More details about hold times

    Official source:Jacksonville Code 462.601 (opens in a new tab)

  3. Then

    See our guides for a found dog or cat.

    Found-dog guide Found-cat guide

Pets posted near Jacksonville

Pet Watch

Be the neighbor who helps a pet get home

An email when a missing pet is posted near you

Alert area: JacksonvilleChange area

Free · Unsubscribe anytime

How Pet Watch works

About these instructions

These instructions are for pets lost or found in the city of Jacksonville. The stated rule concerns potentially owned adult dogs and cats; ask ACPS about the individual pet’s status.

  • Local steps checked against the official pages on .
  • Hold rule checked .