Our shelter receives animals every day and one of them could be your pet. We are required to hold stray animals (animals that do not have an identified owner) for five days. After this five day holding period, any stray animal can be put up for adoption, transferred to another shelter, sent to rescue, put into a foster home, and in rare cases, euthanized (only if serious medical issues exist or there are issues of aggression). As the owner you are the best person to identify your own pet, therefore we cannot tell you with certainty whether your pet is here or not.
If your pet was lost in Kansas City, MO, please also visit the KC Campus for Animal Care location at your earliest opportunity, and check our Found Pets list frequently.
Owners that reclaim their pet within the first three days of impoundment at KC Pet Project will not be charged intake fees.
When creating a flyer or poster, use a half-page, brightly colored poster board and include a clear photo of your pet. Use extremely large lettering with concise information, such as, “LOST SMALL WHITE MALE DOG, CALL xxx-xxx-xxxx”. If you need help creating and printing a flyer, a member of our Return to Home Team can assist you at our shelter.
If you decide to attempt to trap your cat, KC Pet Project offers trap rentals to Kansas City, MO residents. If available, you can rent a trap from KC Pet Project for a refundable $75 deposit. If no traps are available, consider purchasing a 30LTD-Light Duty Animal Trap at your local home improvement store and donating the trap to KC Pet Project afterwards. The donation is tax deductible.
If you think there is a chance your pet is stolen please contact the police to fill out a report. Reports are great to have on file in the chance that you find someone who has your pet and won’t give it back. Make sure that you have photos of as many angles as possible of your pet as they also help in proving ownership. If your pet is microchipped this is THE BEST proof of ownership you can have. If you see someone with your pet the best thing to do is call the police and provide them with any evidence you can (picture, license plate, address) so that they can handle the situation.
Don’t give up hope! Pets have been found months after getting lost. Finding a lost pet can take time. Start searching immediately and often. Animals that are lost may still be close to home, or residing with a well-meaning finder.
Wherever you posted your pet as missing (posters, websites, social media) be sure to update that your pet has been found. Many volunteers and shelter staff members review lost pet reports daily, and having updated information ensures time is dedicated to animals that are still missing.
Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and ID tags. Only 5% of lost pets not wearing identification ever get reunited with their owners. Inexpensive tags can also be purchased from KC Pet Project. Include your phone number and address. Don’t forget to update the microchip and tag information as your information changes!
Having your pet microchipped is a quick, painless and easy way to ensure that if your pet gets loose, you will be contacted if they come into a shelter. You can have your pet microchipped at KC Pet Project or at any veterinarian’s office.
