Animal shelters across the country are overwhelmed with an influx of lost pets, and in Houston, it’s no different. With data showing a 26% national decline in dogs being reclaimed from shelters since 2019, the urgency to reunite lost pets with their families is more critical than ever. Best Friends Animal Society reports that 2.4 million pets enter shelters as strays each year, yet only 20% make it back home.

Houston residents have the power to change this. By taking simple steps, they can help ensure that more pets find their way back to their families instead of filling already overcrowded shelters. “Pets belong in loving homes, not in shelters,” says Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “When a pet goes missing, it’s up to the community to step in and help reunite them with their families. Studies show that one in three pets will get lost at some point in their lives.”

How Can Houstonians Help?

1. Knock on Doors

Did you know that 70% of lost dogs are found within a mile of their home? Before assuming a dog or cat is homeless, take a moment to walk around the neighborhood and ask neighbors if they recognize the pet. Don’t forget to ask local service workers like mail carriers—they’re often familiar with the neighborhood’s pets!

2. Check for ID

It’s always worth checking if the pet has an ID tag or collar. If not, a quick trip to a vet or animal shelter can reveal whether the pet has a microchip. Studies show that 52% of microchipped dogs and 40% of microchipped cats make it back to their owners, which is all the more reason for pet owners to ensure their pets are microchipped and that the information is up-to-date.

3. Spread the Word with Flyers

Old school but effective! Hang flyers around the area where the pet was found. Make sure to include a clear picture, contact info, and where the pet was found. The more eyes you have looking for the owner, the better.

4. Report to Local Shelters

Call the local shelter to report the found pet, and ask about their Foster-to-Finder Programs. These programs allow you to temporarily foster the pet while efforts are made to find the owner. Keeping pets within the community increases their chances of being reunited with their families.

5. Utilize Social Media and Technology 

Thanks to technology, helping lost pets find their way home has never been easier. Platforms like Petco Love Lost use photo-matching technology to help reunite pets by matching their photos with those of lost animals posted online. You can also post found pets on platforms like Nextdoor and Neighbors by Ring, or on community Facebook pages, Homeowners Association boards, and local lost-and-found groups.

What About Cats?

Here’s where it gets interesting: not all outdoor cats are lost. Some may be community cats or indoor-outdoor pets, especially if they have a distinctive “ear tip.” Instead of rushing these felines to shelters, it's often best to leave them where they are, as they may know their way home. If you stumble upon a litter of kittens, don’t assume they’ve been abandoned. Their mother is likely nearby. It’s better to keep an eye on them and wait for their mother’s return. Shelters are often ill-equipped to handle young kittens, and keeping them out of the shelter until they’re old enough to be spayed, neutered, and vaccinated is ideal.

Be a Hero for Houston’s Pets

“Every 90 seconds, a dog or cat is unnecessarily killed in U.S. shelters,” says Castle. That’s a staggering figure, but Houston can be a part of the solution. By reuniting lost pets with their families and keeping pets out of shelters, we can help save more lives. Whether it’s knocking on a neighbor’s door, hanging a flyer, or using your social media presence to post about a lost pet, every effort counts.

To learn more about how you can help reunite lost pets with their families, visit bestfriends.org. Houston has always been known for its big heart—let’s extend that compassion to our four-legged friends and help make sure they find their way back home.