Lost A Pet
Have you lost a pet and don't know what to do?
Microchip identification, with appropriate recording of CURRENT animal /owner data should provide you with some peace of mind, because it provides a permanent link to you as an owner, both now and in to the future, for the life of your pet.
There is a network of microchip readers located at local Councils, vet clinics and animal welfare organisations across Australia. These organisations routinely scan all animals presented to them as strays. Our experience is that this process very frequently results in reuniting those lost pets with their owners - sometimes even years later or in other States!
What else can you do?
Loss of your pet is a time of great anxiety both for you and your pet.
The following simple steps will help increase your chances of your pet being returned to you or your your family.
It is essential that you continue to UPDATE your details with CENTRAL ANIMAL RECORDS. This can be done by signing in or creating an account.
Mark your pet as missing on Central Animal Records through your login. This can also be done by contacting Central Animal Records via email at info@car.com.au or calling 03 9706 3187 during business hours to advise that your pet is missing.
The Lost Pet HUB is our new system which will allow pet owners all over Australia to help us get lost pets home fast and safely!
When you mark your pet as missing online, you will have the option to list your pet on our public Lost Pet HUB. Other users will then be able to see basic information about your pet and can submit a report directly to you when your pet is seen or found.
Note: The Lost Pet HUB is a free service however, additional features are available to V.I.Pet owners.
Click Here to visit the Lost Pet HUB.
V.I.Pet is an opt-in service offered by Central Animal Records. There are several features that are specifically designed to benefit pet owners when their pet goes missing.
Lost Pet HUB V.I.Pet Features:
- No expiry for listings.
- Option to display pet photo, mobile number, last seen location and optional reward on listings.
- Pet will appear in top results for all relevant searches.
- Immediate addition to national V.I.Pet feed when pet is listed.
General V.I.Pet Features:
- Pet profile picture visible to vets, councils and rescues.
- Owner profile visible to vets, councils and rescues (optional).
- Notifications sent to local vets and councils via our ‘Active Recovery Service’.
- Medical conditions, personality type(s) and height and weight visible to vets, councils and rescues (optional).
Other Features: Lost pet poster studio, Monthly newsletter, Custom reminders, Area-based alerts, Exclusive discounts (C.A.R.), Exclusive discounts (Partners), Priority phone support, Pet age calculator, Customisable Pet Widget, Gold theme and future features being added in each year.
Click Here to learn more about V.I.Pet.
Contact your local Council and any Animal Welfare Shelters to advise them that your pet is missing. It is also worth contacting neighbouring Councils in case your pet has wandered and is found over your Council boundary. You will need to be able to provide them with your name & contact details, as well as a detailed description of your pet.
Find Your Local Council:
VIC | NSW | ACT | QLD | NT | WA | SA | TAS
To contact the animal welfare societies in your area. The numbers can be located in the Yellow Pages under "animal welfare". It is advisable to contact all that are listed, even if they are out of your local area. Animals have been known to travel great distances and there is the possibility that the animal could have been picked up and taken out of the area.
Contact Veterinarians in your local area and after hours emergency veterinarian centres to advise that the animal is missing.
Note: If you're a V.I.Pet owner, the 'Active Recovery Service' will notify local vets and councils that your pet is missing.
Visit your local Council pound facility and Animal Welfare facility, not just once, but regularly, as pets sometimes are presented days or weeks later. A large number of animals pass through pounds and shelters , and sometimes your description over the telephone, especially cross breeds, can be misinterpreted.
Door knock or letter drop your local area. Cats especially can be locked in garages or under houses without the knowledge of home owners. Ask your neighbours to please check.
Place notices in the local shops advising that the animal is missing. It is beneficial if you can include a recent photograph of the animal.
Note: If you're a V.I.Pet owner, you can use our 'Pet Poster Studio'.
For more than 30 years, we have facilitated the recovery of lost pets to help reunite them with their families. During that time, we have heard some truly amazing stories. We hope that some of these Reunion Stories will remind you that there is always hope.