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Lost & Found Animals
Reuniting Lost Pets with Their Families in Pitt County
Losing a pet is a distressing experience, but Pitt County Animal Services is here to support you in reuniting with your beloved companion. We handle thousands of lost or stray animals annually and are committed to assisting pet owners during these challenging times.
- Lost a Pet?
- Found a Pet?
- More Tips for Finding Your Lost Cat
- Reclaiming Your Pet from the Shelter
- Submit a Lost or Found Pet Form Now
- Avoid Lost a Pet Scams
Lost a Pet? Here's What to Do
Losing a pet can be stressful, but quick action can help bring them home. Here's what to do if your pet goes missing in Pitt County:
Search Nearby First
- Start by checking around your home and yard, especially for cats, who often hide in small or tight spaces.
- Look under porches, inside sheds, crawlspaces, and bushes.
- Ask neighbors to check around their property too.
Let Others Know
- Place a clear, visible sign in front of your house. A handwritten note on a box or post can alert people walking or driving by.
- Notify neighbors in person or through neighborhood apps like Nextdoor.
Contact Local Authorities
If you live within the city limits of Ayden, Greenville, or Winterville, contact your town’s animal control directly. These towns have their own holding facilities and typically hold pets for 72 hours before transferring them to the county shelter.
- Ayden Police Department: 252.746.7015
- Greenville Animal Protective Services: 252.329.4387
- Winterville Police Department: 252.756.1105
Contact The Shelter
Submit a Lost or Found Pet Form and contact Pitt County Animal Services at 252.902.1725 to report your pet missing.. This helps the shelter keep track of missing pets and match them more easily with animals in their care.
Notify Vets and Microchip Companies
- Call your vet, especially the one who gave your pet’s rabies vaccine, to update your contact info and let them know your pet is lost.
- Contact your pet’s microchip company to report the loss and make sure your information is current.
Check Local Shelters Often
- Visit the Pitt County Animal Services shelter in person as often as possible.
- You can view found animals online, but the shelter cannot confirm matches over the phone. Visiting in person is best.
- If you're near another county, contact their animal control offices too.
Use Flyers and Online Tools
- Post lost pet flyers in your neighborhood.
- File reports and share your pet’s photo on:
- Petco Love Lost
- Pawboost
- Nextdoor
- Facebook lost and found pet groups (start local and expand if needed)
Use Familiar Scents to Lure Them Back
- Place a worn but unwashed piece of your clothing outside.
- Grilling food like bacon or burgers can help guide your pet back home by scent.
Consider a Humane Trap
If your pet is especially fearful or shy, setting a humane trap may help safely capture and return them.
Lost a Cat?
Cats can be especially tricky to find. Be sure to check out our cat-specific tips.
Found a Pet? Here’s What to Do
If you’ve found a stray pet in Pitt County, follow these steps to help them get home safely:
Before You Pick Up the Pet
Getting bitten by a pet can be dangerous and may cause serious health problems for both people and animals. If a pet appears sick, injured, or aggressive, do not try to handle it yourself.
Please contact Pitt County Animal Services at 252.902.1725 for assistance. Our team can help determine if the shelter has space and guide you on what to do next.
Important: The shelter accepts stray animals by appointment only. Always call before attempting to pick up a found animal. If you are unable to safely care for the pet temporarily, do not try to pick it up.
Check for ID
Look for tags. A North Carolina rabies tag can be traced to the vet clinic that issued it.
Let the Neighborhood Know
Talk to your neighbors. Someone may recognize the pet or know who is missing one. Also place flyers in your area. Even a simple handwritten note on a box can help. Many pet owners search nearby on foot or by car.
Scan for a Microchip
Any vet clinic can scan for a microchip. Pitt County Animal Services can help too. Some clinics may not share the owner's information but can contact the owner for you.
Report the Pet
Submit and online Lost & Found Form or call Pitt County Animal Services to report the found pet and ask if someone has reported them missing. They may even recognize the pet.
Submit an Online Lost & Found Report Now
Notify Nearby Areas
If you are near a county line, contact neighboring animal control agencies as well.
Spread the Word
Post flyers in your area and share found reports online:
- Petco Love Lost
- Pawboost
- Nextdoor: Great for neighborhood updates
- Facebook: Search for local or regional lost pet groups
Still No Luck?
If you’ve tried everything and haven’t found the owner, call Animal Services at 252.902.1725 to schedule an appointment.
Please note: Keeping a found pet without making a reasonable effort to locate the owner may be considered unlawful. In Pitt County, stray animals must be held for at least 72 hours before legal ownership can be transferred. After that time, the animal may be eligible for adoption or rehoming if unclaimed.
Helpful Tips for Finding a Missing Cat
Cats can be especially hard to find if they escape from home.
Start By Checking Inside the House.
Sometimes cats aren’t feeling well or get scared and hide in unusual places. Look inside cabinets, under furniture, and in tight spots like box springs or recliners. Check for new cat-sized holes they may have used.
Try to Figure Out How Your Cat Got Out.
If it’s safe, leave that exit open so they can return the same way.
Begin your search near that spot.
Stay Close to Home.
Indoor cats often hide right after getting out and may stay hidden for days. Most lost cats are found within a three-house radius. Check crawl spaces, bushes, and under decks. Ask neighbors to check their yards, garages, and sheds, too.
Be Calm and Quiet.
Loud noises can scare cats even more. Call their name softly and gently shake their favorite treat bag. Use a flashlight to look for their eyes shining in dark places.
Watch for a “Frozen” Cat.
Like rabbits or deer, cats sometimes stay completely still to avoid danger. Even if they know your voice, they might not move or make a sound. Don’t rely only on calling, use your eyes and flashlight.
Important Tips:
- Do not put your cat’s litter box outside. It may attract predators or stray animals.
- Set a humane trap early. It can be very helpful in bringing your cat home.
- Post flyers around your neighborhood and on social media. Even if no one catches your cat, they might report a sighting.
- Use websites like PawBoost and Petco Love Lost to create flyers and post online.
- Let your vet and your cat’s microchip company know your pet is missing, and double-check that your contact info is up to date.
- Contact the animal shelter and animal control agency to report your lost cat.
How to Reclaim Your Lost Pet
If your pet has gone missing, don’t wait, take quick action. The Pitt County Animal Shelter may have found your pet. All stray animals are held for a minimum of 72 hours before they may be transferred or made available for adoption. Follow the steps below to check, prepare, and reclaim your furry friend as soon as possible.
If Your Pet Is Missing
If your pet is missing, promptly check with the Pitt County Animal Shelter. Follow these steps to reclaim your pet:
Confirm Your Pet Is at the Shelter
- Online Search: Visit www.24petconnect.com to see animals currently at the shelter. Pets listed with only an ID number (for example, 98765432) are not yet available for adoption and may be recent strays. If you recognize your pet, contact the shelter right away.
- Direct Contact: Call the shelter at 252.902.1731 to ask about your pet.
Prepare Necessary Documentation
When reclaiming your pet, please bring the following:
- Personal Identification: A valid photo ID.
- Proof of Ownership: This can include vet records, a current rabies certificate, or clear photos of your pet.
- Rabies Vaccination Proof: If you do not have this, a $10 fee will be charged for the shelter to give the vaccine before releasing your pet.
Understand Reclaim Fees
Reclaiming your pet may include the following fees:
- First Reclaim: $25
- Second Reclaim: $50
- Third Reclaim: $75
- Daily Boarding: $10 per day
- Additional fees may apply for vaccinations or other services.
Visit the Shelter
- By Appointment Only: The shelter operates by appointment only.
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Appointments: Call 252.902.1725 to schedule your visit.
Lost or Found Report
Avoid Scams When Searching for a Lost Pet
Stay smart and safe while trying to reunite with your pet. When a pet goes missing, you may feel vulnerable—and scammers know it. Some people may pretend they found your pet to get money or personal information. Use these tips to protect yourself during your search.
Share Smartly
- Don’t share every detail. Keep a few features private—like a unique marking or collar—to help confirm a real finder later.
- List general locations, such as street intersections or neighborhoods, instead of your full address.
Watch for Red Flags
Be careful of messages that:
- Say, “I found your dog—describe it.”
- Refuse to send a photo of the pet.
- Ask for money upfront or request a wire transfer.
- Use poor grammar or seem suspicious.
Don’t Fall for Fake Shelters
Scammers may pretend to work for animal shelters. They might call late at night, say your pet needs emergency surgery, and ask for money through a payment app.
Real shelters:
- Don’t call outside business hours
- Don’t demand emergency payments
- Can always be reached through official contact information
Never Pay First
Don’t send money for transportation, vet bills, or proof of ownership unless you’ve confirmed the person truly has your pet. Honest finders will understand your caution.
Ask the Right Questions
- Where and when did you find the pet?
- Can you send a photo of the pet next to something specific, like today’s newspaper or a coffee mug?
Use Trusted Resources
Stick with sources you know, such as:
- Local shelters and veterinarians
- Verified Facebook groups or neighborhood apps
- Trusted websites like Petco Love Lost or PawBoost
Keep Good Records
Have current photos of your pet from different angles. Note microchip numbers or any special markings. This helps prove ownership quickly if your pet is found.