Top Places to Report a Lost Pet in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill
When a pet goes missing, time is everything. This guide highlights the top local resources for reporting lost and found pets across the Triangle.
When a pet goes missing, time is everything. The faster you notify the right places, the better your chances of being reunited. If your dog or cat is lost in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, there are several key organizations and platforms where you should report them immediately.
1. Local Animal Shelters & Animal Control
Animal shelters are usually the first place people bring a lost dog or cat they've found. Contact your county's shelter as soon as possible, and if you can, visit in person daily.
- Wake County (Raleigh)
🐾 Wake County Animal Center
📞 919-212-7387 | Website - Durham County
🐾 Durham County Animal Services
📞 919-560-0630 | Website - Orange County (Chapel Hill & Hillsborough)
🐾 Orange County Animal Services
📞 919-942-7387 | Website - Chatham County
🐾 Chatham County Animal Services
📞 919-542-7203 | Website
Tip: Don't just call - visit in person if possible. Descriptions of pets can easily be mixed up, but you'll recognize your own pet immediately.
2. Veterinary Offices and Emergency Clinics
If a found pet is injured, good Samaritans often bring them to the nearest vet. Call local veterinary clinics and animal hospitals, share a photo of your pet, and leave your contact details.
- Raleigh: NC State Veterinary Hospital, Quail Corners Animal Hospital
- Durham: Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital
- Chapel Hill: Carrboro Animal Hospital, Chapel Hill Animal Hospital
Many clinics will keep a lost pet flyer on their bulletin board or in their system.
3. Local Facebook Groups & Social Media
Social media spreads word about missing pets faster than almost anything else. Join and post to local groups dedicated to lost and found pets.
- Triangle Lost & Found Pets (Facebook)
- Lost Dogs North Carolina (Facebook & website)
- Neighborhood-specific groups (e.g., Raleigh Moms Network, Durham Community Forum)
Pro Tip: Include a recent photo, the area last seen (cross streets if possible), and your phone number. Avoid only using Messenger replies - a quick phone call makes reunions happen faster.
4. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a neighborhood-focused app where nearby residents often post about pets they've spotted. Posting here ensures your neighbors - the people most likely to see your pet - are alerted right away.
5. PawBoost
PawBoost (https://www.pawboost.com/) is a free national platform where you can post lost and found pets. Many local shelters in the Triangle also monitor PawBoost. Posts are automatically shared with nearby volunteers who keep an eye out for pets.
6. Petco Love Lost
Petco Love Lost (https://petcolove.org/lost/) uses facial recognition to match found pet photos with missing pet reports nationwide. Uploading your pet's photo here expands your search beyond just the Triangle.
7. Flyers in Your Community
Even in the digital age, flyers still work. Put them up at:
- Grocery stores
- Coffee shops
- Pet supply stores (like Unleashed, Petco, or PetSmart)
- Local parks and greenway entrances
A clear flyer with a large photo and your phone number can be the difference between a neighbor calling you directly or the shelter.
Final Thoughts
If your pet is lost in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, report them to as many places as possible - animal shelters, vets, social media, and lost pet databases. The more eyes watching, the better your chances of a happy reunion.
❤️ At Triangle Lost Pets, we're here to connect missing pets with their families. Share your lost pet post with us, and we'll help spread the word in the Triangle community.