What to Do If You Lose or Find a Dog in Las Vegas
It happens more often than you think — gates swing open, leashes slip, fireworks go off, and suddenly a dog is gone. Or maybe you’re driving through a neighborhood and spot a pup darting through traffic without an owner in sight. Whether the dog is yours or someone else’s, there’s a well-established system in Las Vegas to help get them home safely. But it only works if you know what to do — and act quickly. Here’s how to navigate the process, where to go, and which tools can make all the difference.
Report It to the Lied Animal Shelter
The first and most important step is reporting the situation to The Animal Foundation’s Lied Animal Shelter, located at 655 N Mojave Rd. This is the main intake facility for lost and found pets in the Las Vegas area, and it’s where most stray dogs picked up by animal control are taken. If you’ve found a dog, you can bring it to the shelter during business hours so they can scan it for a microchip. If you can’t transport the dog safely, call 702-955-5932 to report it and ask for help. If you’ve lost your dog, file a lost pet report with the shelter as soon as possible, and check their website daily for new arrivals. Dogs without ID tags or microchips may only be held for 72 hours, so acting fast is critical.
Use Online Lost & Found Platforms
In addition to contacting the shelter, make use of online lost pet platforms. PawBoost, 24Petconnect, and Petco Love Lost are three widely used tools that help match found pets with their owners using photos and location data. They’re free to use, and they often have high success rates — especially when paired with social media outreach. You can also post in local Las Vegas Facebook groups, community pages on Nextdoor, and even Craigslist’s lost & found section.
Microchips Help More Than Anything
If the dog you found has a microchip — and the contact info is up to date — there’s a good chance they’ll be reunited with their owner quickly. The shelter or a local vet can scan for a chip in seconds. Likewise, if your own dog is missing and they’re microchipped, make sure your registration is current and includes a working phone number. A microchip won’t do much good if no one can reach you.
Don’t Give Up
Not all reunions happen right away. Some dogs are found days or even weeks later, thanks to persistence and visibility. Keep checking the shelter’s database, re-share your posts on social media, and take walks or drive around your neighborhood with flyers. Many pet owners in Las Vegas have been reunited with their dogs thanks to a mix of shelter visits, online posts, and community help. The more proactive you are, the better your chances of a happy ending.
