If your cat has gone missing, your heart is probably racing—and your brain is spinning with a million “what ifs.” Before you panic, take a deep breath. The internet has become an incredibly powerful tool in helping people reunite with their lost pets. From specialized databases to social-driven communities, there are now dozens of lost cat websites designed to connect you with your furry friend faster than ever.
In this guide, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best lost cat websites. These platforms are designed to maximize visibility, get your alert in front of the right people, and connect with local shelters, rescue groups, and pet lovers. Whether you’re in a big city or a quiet rural area, you’ll find tools here that can make all the difference.
National & Global Lost Cat Websites
1. PawBoost
One of the most well-known pet recovery websites, PawBoost sends alerts to local shelters, rescue groups, and Facebook pages. Their “Alert Map” shows lost and found pets in your area.
2. Petco Love Lost
This tool uses facial recognition to match found pets with reported missing ones. Upload a photo of your cat, and it scans shelter databases and user reports nationwide.
3. PetFBI.org
A nonprofit platform that has helped thousands of pet owners since 1998. It offers a free national database for lost and found pets with robust filtering by species, date, and zip code.
4. LostMyKitty.com
This site offers both free and paid services. They fax missing cat alerts to local vets and shelters and distribute posters to nearby neighbors.
5. Tabby Tracker
Specializes in lost cats only. It’s part of the Lost My Kitty network but focuses solely on feline recoveries, with an active community and real-time sightings map.
6. HelpingLostPets.com (HeLP)
A nationwide, map-based database that works with local groups, shelters, and rescues. Allows users to post lost or found cats and helps reunite pets with their families using geographic tagging.
7. PetAmberAlert.com
Inspired by the AMBER Alert system, this service sends out missing pet alerts to nearby animal shelters, pet businesses, and neighbors. The premium option includes phone and flyer distribution.
8. Finding Rover
This site also utilizes facial recognition and has a sleek mobile app. It’s connected to shelters across the U.S. and is a useful tool for visual ID of pets.
9. LostPetUSA.net
Managed by Pethealth Inc., this site allows users to submit lost pet reports and browse found pet postings. It also includes a helpful tips section for lost pet recovery strategies.
10. Craigslist (Lost & Found Section)
Though not pet-specific, Craigslist can be surprisingly effective, especially in cities. Many people still use it to post found animals and sightings.
11. Nextdoor
A neighborhood-focused platform where you can post in the Lost & Found section. Many missing cats have been found thanks to observant neighbors and helpful community members.
12. Facebook Lost & Found Pet Groups
Look for location-based Facebook groups like “Lost and Found Pets of [City/State].” These are often monitored by rescue volunteers and animal lovers ready to help.
13. Animal Humane Society Lost Pets Page
Many local humane societies maintain a searchable lost and found section. Some even have dedicated volunteers who call or email when they see a possible match.
14. Pet Alert USA (Pet Alert [Your State])
This is a franchise of Facebook pages in every U.S. state. Each one has thousands of members dedicated to lost and found pets in their area.
15. Rescue Me! Lost Cat Database
Part of the Rescue Me! network, this tool allows you to post lost cat alerts that appear by breed and location.
16. HomeAgain Pet Recovery
If your cat is microchipped with HomeAgain, you can log in to report them lost. They notify nearby vet clinics and shelters.
17. 24Petwatch Lost Pet Recovery
Like HomeAgain, this is linked to a microchip service. If your cat is registered here, they offer recovery help and alert systems.
18. Petkey
Offers lost pet recovery services, including posters, real-time alert systems, and tracking for microchipped animals.
19. Michelson Found Animals Registry
A free pet microchip registry with a lost pet reporting system and helpful community tools.
20. Shadow App
A mobile app for New York-based pet owners that matches lost and found pets through a large rescue network. Expanding to other cities soon.
21. Ring Neighbors App
Yes, the home security app. Ring’s “Neighbors” app has a Lost Pet category, and people in your area may post sightings, videos, or photos of stray animals.
22. PetHarbor.com
A site used by shelters nationwide. You can search shelter intakes for cats matching your pet’s description. Some shelters automatically upload new arrivals here.
23. Doobert
A network connecting volunteers with pet transport, rescue, and lost/found services. Great if you’re coordinating a larger-scale recovery effort or cross-state situation.
Local Shelter and Rescue Group Websites
In addition to national platforms, don’t ignore your local humane societies, municipal shelters, and SPCA branches. Many of these have:
- Daily updated intake logs
- Photo galleries of found pets
- Reclaim instructions and contact forms
- Volunteer tip lines and hotline numbers
Use Google Maps to search “animal shelter near me” or “[your city] lost pet services,” and check each one individually. Some shelters don’t upload photos daily, so it’s worth calling and visiting in person.
Extra Tips for Using Lost Cat Websites Effectively
- Always include a recent, clear photo of your cat, preferably one where their face is clearly visible.
- Use multiple websites—no single platform reaches everyone.
- Be consistent in your descriptions across platforms. Include breed, color, size, eye color, collar or no collar, and any identifying marks.
- Check found pet listings, too. Sometimes people post a found cat without realizing it’s missing.
- Refresh or update your post every few days to keep it visible.
- Print and distribute flyers with your website links and phone number. Combine digital with analog methods.
Final Words
Losing a cat is heartbreaking, but you’re not powerless. The internet is full of communities, tools, and platforms that exist solely to help people like you find their beloved pets. The most successful recoveries happen when pet owners take immediate, widespread action—and lost cat websites are central to that.
From facial recognition apps like Petco Love Lost to community-driven networks like Nextdoor and PawBoost, every platform on this list offers a unique advantage. Use them together, stay hopeful, and don’t stop searching. Your cat is out there—and these tools are your roadmap home.
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