Lost & Found Pets in Allen County
Last Updated: August 2026
If you’ve lost or found a pet in Allen County, start with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control (FWACC) as soon as possible. FWACC handles lost and found pets and maintains information to help owners locate animals that have been found or brought to the shelter.
Quick Answer
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244
If You Lost a Pet
Start searching right away. Check Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control and report your pet as missing.
Also:
- Search your neighborhood and nearby streets.
- Ask neighbors to check garages, sheds and under decks.
- Contact nearby veterinary clinics.
- Post a clear photo in local lost-pet and neighborhood groups.
- Check your pet’s microchip registration and make sure your phone number is current.
Check frequently because new animals can arrive throughout the day.
If You Found a Pet
If the animal is friendly and can be safely contained:
- Check for an ID tag.
- Ask nearby neighbors if they recognize the pet.
- Have the animal scanned for a microchip.
- Report the pet as found.
- Take a clear photo.
- Note exactly where and when you found it.
If the animal is aggressive or you can’t safely approach it, contact animal control.
Outside Fort Wayne
For stray and domestic-animal complaints outside the City of Fort Wayne, contact the Allen County Sheriff’s Field Service Officers.
Animal Complaints: 260-449-7491
Sheriff Non-Emergency: 260-449-3000
Allen County Animal Control Information
If the animal is aggressive, injured or creating an immediate safety problem, tell the dispatcher.
Check for a Microchip
A microchip can be one of the fastest ways to reunite a pet with its owner.
Many veterinary clinics and animal shelters can scan a found pet for a microchip.
If your missing pet is microchipped, contact the microchip company and:
- Verify your phone number.
- Verify your address.
- Report the pet as missing if the registry offers that option.
Reclaiming Your Pet
If you locate your pet at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, contact the shelter promptly.
You may be asked for proof that you’re the owner, such as:
- Photo ID
- Photos of you with the pet
- Veterinary records
- Rabies records
- Adoption paperwork
- Microchip information
Call 260-427-1244 to confirm current reclaim requirements before visiting.
Search Close to Home
Don’t assume your pet has traveled far.
Check:
- Garages and sheds
- Under porches and decks
- Bushes and wooded areas
- Fields
- Drainage areas
- Neighboring properties
Cats especially may hide quietly very close to home.
Use Local Social Media
Local lost-pet and neighborhood groups can help spread the word quickly.
Include:
- A clear photo
- Pet’s name
- General area where lost
- Date missing
- Description
- Contact information
Don’t publish every identifying feature. Keeping one detail private can help you confirm that someone claiming the pet is actually the owner.
Before You Go
If you’re heading to the shelter to look for or reclaim a pet:
- Call first to confirm current hours.
- Bring photo identification.
- Bring proof of ownership if available.
- Bring vaccination or veterinary records if you have them.
- Have your pet’s microchip number available.
- Check the shelter’s current lost-pet information before leaving.
Local Tip
Check Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control even if you live outside Fort Wayne. It’s an important central resource for lost and found pets throughout Allen County.
And don’t check only once. Keep checking, especially during the first several days your pet is missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I look for my lost dog or cat?
Start with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control and report your pet as missing. Also search nearby, contact local veterinarians and post in neighborhood lost-pet groups.
What should I do if I find a pet?
Check for identification, have the pet scanned for a microchip and report it as found.
Who handles stray animals outside Fort Wayne?
Contact the Allen County Sheriff’s Field Service Officers at 260-449-7491.
Can a veterinarian scan a pet for a microchip?
Yes. Many local veterinary clinics and shelters can scan found pets for microchips.
Related Pages
Official Resources
Summary
If you’ve lost or found a pet in Allen County, start with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control at 260-427-1244. Lost pet owners should report the pet quickly and check shelter information frequently. If you find a pet, check for identification, have it scanned for a microchip and report it as found. Outside Fort Wayne, animal-control complaints can also be reported to the Allen County Sheriff’s Field Service Officers at 260-449-7491.