In the event of losing your pet, Manhattan Beach Animal Control recommends that you vigorously pursue the following resources:

1. Contact your local shelters and surrounding animal control agencies immediately. Note: If giving a report by phone be prepared to give a detailed physical description. It is always best to come view the animals in person and if possible, leave a photograph with the agencies.

Los Angeles County Carson Animal Shelter
(310) 523-9566
216 W. Victoria Street
Gardena CA 90248

South Bay Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals (SPCALA)  
(310) 676-1149
12910 Yukon Avenue
Hawthorne CA 90250

2. Place an ad in the lost and found section of the local newspapers.

3. Contact surrounding veterinary clinics.

4. Make door-to-door inquiries in immediate and surrounding neighborhoods.  Use online apps such as "Nextdoor" to notify the neighborhood.

5. Make flyers using a clear photograph and detailed description of your pet for placement in all locations of inquiry. What should be on the Flyer?

• Color Picture of the Lost Pet
• Age of Pet
• Distinctive Markings
• Your Phone Number (many people forget this one)
• Notification of Reward, if any (Do not post reward amount)

6. Update your voicemail to make sure callers hear a message with details about your pet’s situation and your cell phone number. If someone finds your pet, you want them to be able to find you!

7. For a cat, set a humane cat trap baited with their favorite food. A frightened cat’s instinct is to hide in silence.  But use care that you do not accidentally capture other animals.

8. Miscellaneous tips for finding your pet:

Most "lost" cats tend to stay in the general vicinity from which they disappeared. It is rare that they would wander out of the immediate neighborhood, unless perhaps, they were recently moved. Be patient and creative in your search.

A "lost" dog will tend to travel into the oncoming wind. This should be your first direction of search.

After You Find Your Pet

After you find your pet, report back to all the facilities where you left a report. This reduces existing paperwork and increases the agencies' ability to match other lost pets with their owners. Also, be sure to take down any old flyers or posters in your neighborhood.

Spay or neuter your pet. This will help alleviate your pet's desire to roam and has many other benefits.