Lost & Found Pets
Help reunite Waseca County pets with their families
No lost pets reported right now. We hope it stays that way!
Report a Lost or Found Pet
Fill out the form below and we'll post it to this page and share it on our Facebook.
Tips for a better report:
- • Act fast — the sooner you report, the better the chances of a reunion
- • Be specific about location — include cross streets, landmarks, or neighborhoods
- • Include the exact date and time the pet was last seen or found
- • Upload a clear, recent photo — use an original photo, not a screenshot from social media
- • Note collar details — color, tags, whether it has a microchip
- • Mention temperament — is the pet friendly, scared, aggressive? This helps people approach safely
My Pet Is Lost
Time matters. Here's what to do right now.
First 30 Minutes
- • Search your home thoroughly — closets, under furniture, garages, sheds, window wells
- • Walk your neighborhood calling their name, especially at dawn/dusk when it's quiet
- • Place their bed, a worn shirt, food, and water outside where they were last seen
- • Cats usually hide close to home — check under porches, bushes, and crawl spaces
- • Try driving slowly around the neighborhood — dogs sometimes recognize the sound of your car
- • Bring another pet with you if you have one — a familiar friend can draw them out
First Few Hours
- • Report here and share on our Facebook page
- • Call your microchip company to report the loss and verify your contact info is current
- • Contact local vets — don't just call, hand-deliver a flyer with a photo
- • Notify Waseca animal control and local police
- • Post on Lost Dogs MN and the SE-MN Lost/Found Pets Facebook group
- • Post on Craigslist, Nextdoor, and local Facebook neighborhood groups
Ongoing Search
- • Print flyers with a clear photo, phone number, and location last seen — hang at intersections at driver eye-level
- • Search at least a 3-mile radius from where your pet went missing
- • Visit local shelters in person — don't just call. Ask to see all areas including intake
- • Alert mail carriers, delivery drivers, and neighbors — they cover the most ground daily
- • Don't chase your pet if spotted — sit down, avoid eye contact, and lure with treats. Chasing can scare them further away
- • Track all sightings with date, time, and exact location on a map
- • Don't give up — many pets are found weeks or even months later
I Found a Stray
Thank you for helping. Here's how to get them home.
Check for ID
- • Look for a collar tag with a phone number and call immediately
- • Take the animal to any vet or shelter for a free microchip scan — if no chip is found, try a second location as chips can migrate
- • Check inside ears and inner thighs for tattoos (common for purebreds)
Spread the Word
- • Report here and check our lost pet listings for a match
- • Post on Lost Dogs MN and SE-MN Lost/Found Pets
- • Post flyers in the neighborhood where the animal was found
- • Check for existing "lost pet" signs in the area
- • Withhold one identifying detail (a marking, collar color) so the real owner can prove ownership
Reuniting Safely
- • Ask the person to describe the pet — don't give them the description first
- • Request proof of ownership: vet records, dated photos with the pet, or adoption paperwork
- • Meet in a public place during daylight — a police station parking lot or vet office is ideal
- • Don't worry if the pet seems hesitant at first — long-missing animals may need a moment to recognize their owner
Know What You're Looking At
- • Ear-tipped cats (flat-cut tip on one ear) are spayed/neutered community cats — they are not lost and should be left where they are
- • Feral cats that won't let you approach are likely community cats living outdoors intentionally — trapping and removing them can disrupt the colony
- • A friendly outdoor cat near homes is likely someone's indoor/outdoor pet — watch and ask neighbors before assuming it's lost
- • Kittens found alone are usually not orphaned — their mom is likely out foraging. Wait at least 8 hours before intervening. Mom is their best chance for survival
Safety & Special Cases
- • If the animal is aggressive or behaving erratically, do not approach — call your local police department
- • If the animal is injured, call a vet clinic directly. After hours, call an emergency vet. WCAHS is not equipped for emergency medical care
- • Wildlife (raccoons, opossums, deer, birds) — contact the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. WCAHS handles cats and dogs only
- • If you find a mother cat with kittens, try to keep them together. Their mom is their best chance — contact us and we'll help coordinate
If No Owner Is Found
Contact us at (507) 201-7287. We can help coordinate next steps, connect the animal with a foster home, and get them the care they need.