Lost or Found a Pet in Jackson, Michigan

The first few hours matter most. Follow the steps below to give a lost pet the best chance of making it home — whether you found a stray or you're searching for your own.

What to Do If You've Found a Stray Animal

Start with the basics and work quickly — most pets are reunited with their owners within the first 24 to 48 hours when the right steps are taken early. Check the animal for a collar and ID tags first, keeping in mind that long-haired animals can have tags hidden in their fur. If tags are present, contact the owner directly. If there are no tags or you can't reach the owner, your next step is to file a report and get the animal scanned for a microchip — CHS, the Jackson County Animal Shelter, and most local veterinarians can all perform a microchip scan at no charge. Please note that CHS does not pick up stray animals.

  • Call Jackson County Animal Shelter at (517) 788-4464 to file a found report; you can also drop off strays there directly
  • Call CHS at (517) 787-7387 or email adopt@chspets.org to file a report with our team as well
  • Post a photo and the location where the animal was found to Facebook — helpful groups include Lost and Found Pets of Jackson, For the Love of Louie Michigan, Jackson Police Scanners, and any local neighborhood groups you're part of
  • Put up signs in the area where the animal was found, including near schools and veterinary clinics
  • If you locate the owner after filing reports with CHS and Jackson County Animal Shelter, please notify both organizations so records can be updated

What to Do If You've Lost Your Pet

Act immediately and cast as wide a net as possible — the more people who know your pet is missing, the faster they come home. File reports with both CHS and the Jackson County Animal Shelter right away, then get signs up in your neighborhood, especially near where your pet was last seen. Talk to your neighbors, mail carrier, and paper carrier — people who are outside regularly are often the first to spot a missing animal. If you live near a county line, check neighboring county shelters as well, since lost pets can travel farther than expected.

  • Call CHS at (517) 787-7387 or email adopt@chspets.org, and call Jackson County Animal Shelter at (517) 788-4464 to file a lost report with both organizations
  • Post a photo and your pet's last known location to Facebook — Lost and Found Pets of Jackson, For the Love of Louie Michigan, Jackson Police Scanners, and local neighborhood groups are all worth posting in
  • Put up flyers everywhere you can — your neighborhood, veterinary clinics, pet stores, grocery stores, and community boards — with a color photo, description, last known location, and your phone number
  • Visit the Jackson County Animal Shelter in person as often as possible; animals are taken in daily and a phone call is not a substitute for a visit
  • If you live near a county line, contact the animal control or humane society in neighboring counties as wells

Neighboring county contacts:

  • Hillsdale County Humane Society — (517) 523-2308
  • Humane Society of Huron Valley — (734) 662-5585
  • South Central Michigan Humane Society — (269) 963-1796
  • Capital Area Humane Society — (517) 626-6060
  • Ingham County Animal Control — (517) 676-8370
  • Eaton County Animal Control — (517) 543-5755 or (517) 482-8803
  • Clinton County Animal Control — (517) 224-5116

Remember to not give up.


Pets have been found months after they were first lost. If, and when, you find your pet, remember to remove your flyers and notify theorganizations about your success story.

Lost & Found Questions, Answered

  • What should I do first if I find a stray animal in Jackson County?

    Check the animal for ID tags and contact the owner if information is available. If there are no tags or you can't reach the owner, call Jackson County Animal Shelter at (517) 788-4464 to file a found report and contact CHS at (517) 787-7387 or adopt@chspets.org. Getting the animal scanned for a microchip is also a critical early step — CHS, the county shelter, and most local vets can perform the scan. The more reports you file and the faster you file them, the better the chances of a reunion.

  • Does Cascades Humane Society pick up stray animals?

    No. CHS does not pick up stray animals. If you've found a stray and cannot locate the owner, you can drop the animal off directly at the Jackson County Animal Shelter at (517) 788-4464. You should also file a report with CHS so we have a record on file in case the owner reaches out to us.

  • Where should I look if my pet is missing in Jackson, Michigan?

    File reports with CHS and Jackson County Animal Shelter immediately, then visit the county shelter in person as frequently as possible — animals come in daily and a phone call is not a substitute for a visit. Post to Facebook groups including Lost and Found Pets of Jackson, For the Love of Louie Michigan, and Jackson Police Scanners, and put flyers up throughout your neighborhood and at local veterinary clinics, pet stores, and grocery stores. If you live near a county line, contact neighboring county shelters as well.

  • Can a microchip help reunite me with my lost pet?

    Yes. A microchip is one of the most reliable tools for reuniting lost pets with their owners. CHS, the Jackson County Animal Shelter, and most local veterinarians can scan a found animal for a microchip at no charge. If your pet is not yet microchipped, CHS offers microchipping for $25 at the time of a SNAP surgery appointment.

  • How long should I keep looking for my lost pet?

    Don't give up. Pets have been found months after they first went missing. Keep your flyers up, continue visiting the county shelter regularly, and stay active in local Facebook groups. When your pet is found, remember to take down your flyers and notify CHS and Jackson County Animal Shelter so they can update their records.