Lost & Found

Losing a pet or finding a stray can be stressful and emotional. At the Animal Protective Foundation (APF), we’re here to help reunite pets with their families and offer guidance on what to do if you find a lost animal. Read below for steps on what to do if you've lost or found a pet, as well as resources to help maximize the chances of a happy reunion.

If You Lose Your Pet

Immediate Steps to Take

If you’ve lost your pet, contact us right away at (518) 374-3944 to file a lost pet report. You can also complete the Lost Animal Report form online to provide our team with key details about your pet. This report will help us identify your pet if they’re brought to our shelter.

Local Animal Control

Effective Tips for Finding Your Pet

The APF houses stray dogs brought to us by animal control officers from Duanesburg, Niskayuna, Princetown, and Scotia/Glenville. If your pet went missing in Schenectady or Rotterdam, please contact their respective animal control officers directly.

  • Duanesburg: (518) 860-3179
  • Niskayuna: (518) 374-3159 or (518) 630-0911
  • Princetown: (518) 470-0472
  • Scotia/Glenville: (518) 630-0911

Tips for Finding Lost Pets

  1. Search Your Neighborhood: Walk or drive around the area where your pet was last seen. Call out their name and bring familiar sounds, like a favorite toy, to attract them.
  2. Use Social Media and Local Networks: Post on social media and local community groups. Include a recent photo and detailed description to spread the word quickly.
  3. Visit Local Shelters: Check in with area shelters and rescues. Pets are often brought to local facilities when found.


If You Find a Lost Pet

Helping Stray Pets Find Their Way Home

Report the Animal
If you come across a stray or lost animal, help us reunite them with their family by calling us at (518) 374-3944, ext. 101, to provide information about the animal. Our team will guide you on the next steps to take.

Petco Love Lost
For additional visibility, you can also report found pets on Petco Love Lost, a national platform that connects lost pets with their families. Upload a photo of the animal to broaden the search network and improve the chances of finding their home.

Contacting Local Animal Control
If the animal was found in Duanesburg, Niskayuna, Princetown, or Scotia/Glenville, you can bring them to our shelter. For Schenectady or Rotterdam, please contact their animal control officers directly to arrange intake.

A cat is laying in the grass and looking at the camera.
A siamese cat is looking up on a white background.
A small brown and black dog is looking at the camera on a white background.
A brown dog wearing a blue collar is sitting on a white background.
A siamese cat is looking up on a white background.
A small brown and black dog is looking at the camera on a white background.
A brown dog wearing a blue collar is sitting on a white background.

Microchipping

Give Your Pet the Best Chance of Finding Their Way Home

Microchipping provides your pet with a permanent form of identification, greatly increasing their chances of being reunited with you if they ever get lost. Unlike collars or tags, which can fall off or become unreadable, a microchip remains safely implanted and can be scanned by shelters or veterinarians to access your contact information. For just $30, the Animal Protective Foundation offers microchipping by appointment, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This quick and painless procedure provides peace of mind, knowing your pet has a safe way back to you. Remember to keep your contact details up-to-date in a pet recovery database, like the free Found Pet Registry, to maximize the effectiveness of this essential safety measure. Schedule your pet’s microchipping today by calling (518) 374-3944 or emailing info@animalprotective.org.

Report a Lost Animal

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