You have found an animal that clearly isn’t yours. Here is how to help it get safely back to its owner.
Step by step
- Make sure the animal is safe. Approach it calmly, give it water and keep it away from busy roads. A frightened or injured animal may bite or scratch, so take care.
- Look for a collar or tag. Sometimes there is a phone number on it.
- Have the animal scanned for a microchip. Any vet can do this free of charge. Using the chip, the vet can find the owner in DogID or CatID.
- Check whether the animal has already been reported missing. Search on Ik ben vermist by postcode and type of animal.
- Post a “Found” report. Free and without an account. Anyone who is missing their pet and lives nearby will get a notification through a neighbourhood alert.
- Report it to the police or your municipality. If you cannot look after the animal yourself, contact the animal shelter in your area.
You see an animal but can’t catch it
Then post a “Spotted” report with the place, the time and, if possible, a photo. That way the owner knows where to look. Don’t follow the animal if it makes it run into the road.
Someone says it is their animal
Ask for photos, the microchip registration or a detail that is not in your report. Arrange to meet in a public place or at a vet.