Tips for lost birds, rabbits and other pets

Small pets, birds and reptiles each behave differently when they get out, but the basics are the same: search close by right away, tell the people who might find your pet, and make it easy to reach you.

Birds

• Look up. A bird that flew off often lands in a nearby tree or on a roof.
• Stay in sight, call in a calm voice and play recordings of your bird or its favorite sounds.
• Put the cage outside with food and water where your bird can see it.
• Birds are often most active at dawn and dusk. Go out then.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals

• Search low and slow: under bushes, decks, sheds and cars, and inside walls, vents and furniture if they got loose indoors.
• Put the cage or hutch out with familiar bedding, food and hay, and check it often.
• Move quietly and don’t chase. Herd gently toward a corner or a box.

Ferrets

• Ferrets squeeze into very small spaces. Check drains, pipes, under appliances and inside furniture.
• Try a squeaky toy or the sound of a treat bag, and leave the cage with bedding near where it went missing.

Reptiles

• Indoors, check warm, dark places: behind appliances, under furniture, inside walls and near heaters.
• Outdoors, check sunny spots, rock piles, gardens and under debris.
• Tell neighbors what your pet is and whether it is harmless, so they call you instead of animal control or a pest service.

Tell people who might find your pet

• Call local shelters and animal control. Some small animals are taken to specialty rescues, so ask who else to contact.
• Call nearby vets, including exotic and avian vets.
• Put up flyers with a clear photo and your phone number, and post in your local social media groups and neighborhood apps.
• Update the microchip. If your pet is microchipped, call your microchip company, report your pet lost and check that your phone number and address are current. If you aren’t sure which company holds the record, a vet or shelter can scan your pet’s records or you can look up the chip number with a free online lookup tool.
• Create a free listing.

Watch out for reward scams

• Never send money, a deposit or a “shipping” or “transport fee” before you see your pet in person.
• Be wary of anyone who asks for gift cards, a wire transfer or a payment app, or who says your pet is far away and must be shipped.
• Leave one identifying detail out of your listing and flyer (a scar, a marking, a tag color). Ask callers to describe it.
• Ask for a current photo or a short video call before you meet.
• Meet in a public place in daylight, bring someone with you and tell others where you are going.
• If you offer a reward, pay it only when your pet is back with you.

More tips

Questions people ask

How do I find a lost bird?

Look up in nearby trees and roofs, stay in sight, call calmly or play familiar sounds, and set the cage outside with food and water. Birds are often most active at dawn and dusk.

Where do lost rabbits and guinea pigs hide?

Low, covered spots close by: under bushes, decks, sheds and cars. Put the cage or hutch out with familiar bedding and food, and check it often.

How do I find a lost reptile?

Indoors, check warm, dark places such as behind appliances and near heaters. Outdoors, check sunny spots, rock piles and under debris. Tell neighbors whether your pet is harmless.

Who should I call about a lost small pet or bird?

Local shelters and animal control, nearby vets including exotic and avian vets, and any rescues they recommend for your kind of pet.