Contact the health center, animal welfare center or other public office responsible for the place where the pet went missing. The office name varies by municipality.
Find regional help →Free English record for the first hours
Lost pet in Japan
who to call first and search checklist
Do not wait only for your pet to return. Contact the public animal authority responsible for the place where the pet went missing, the local police and nearby veterinary clinics, then begin searching. Use this page on screen or print it to record each contact.
Contact these three places first
Ask how to report the missing animal as lost property. Police guidance also directs people to prefectural or municipal animal authorities.
Open National Police Agency guidance (Japanese) →A found animal may be taken to a clinic. Prepare a recent photo and clear identifying features before calling.
Open the veterinary guide →Contact the authority for the place where the pet went missing, not only your home address. Near a boundary, contact neighboring jurisdictions too. Verify office hours and the animals each office accepts.
Japanese phrase for the first call
ペットが迷子になりました。保護情報と届出方法を教えてください。Petto ga maigo ni narimashita. Hogo jōhō to todokede hōhō o oshiete kudasai.
My pet is missing. Please tell me whether there is any matching found-animal information and how to make a report.
| Pet | Species, breed, name, sex, age and approximate size |
|---|---|
| Identifying features | Color, markings, collar, harness, clothing, injuries or distinctive features |
| When and where | Date, time, municipality, nearby landmark and direction of travel |
| Identification | Microchip, dog licence tag and whether the registered phone number is current |
| Contact | A phone number you can answer, a recent photo and any report number |
Search differently for a dog and an indoor cat
- All pets: start around the last known place
If possible, divide tasks between calling offices and searching. Record times, places and sightings. - Indoor cat: check inside completely first
Check behind furniture, inside storage and other narrow spaces. If the cat may be outside, search nearby dark hiding places under outdoor units, in shrubs and around sheds. - Dog: widen the search with sightings
A dog may keep moving. Check familiar walking routes and places, then expand calls and searching in the reported direction. - Use posts and flyers alongside official reports
Share a recent photo, approximate place, time and visible features. Update posts after the pet is found.
Open Ministry of the Environment lost-pet guidance (Japanese) →
If your pet has a microchip
Authorities and veterinary clinics can use a dedicated reader to obtain the microchip number and check it against registered owner details. A chip helps only when the registered contact information is current.
- Keep the registration certificate or number available
- Make sure the registered phone can receive calls
- Check the designated registration procedure if your details changed
- Continue official reports and searching even when the pet is chipped
Separate public information from proof of ownership
Recent photo, approximate place and time, coat color, collar and a safe contact method.
Microchip or licence numbers, full home address, report numbers and ownership-verification details.
Update posts and flyers and notify every office and clinic you contacted.
Printable record — entries are not sent or saved
Lost-pet contact and search checklist
There is no form submission or save function. Entries stay only in the current browser page and disappear when the page is reloaded or closed. Be careful when sharing a printed copy.
Frequently asked questions
Who should I call when my pet goes missing in Japan?
Contact the public animal authority responsible for the place where the pet went missing, the local police station or koban, and nearby veterinary clinics. Office names and areas vary, so verify the official local information.
Where should I search for an indoor cat?
Check every hiding place inside first. If the cat may be outside, search nearby narrow and dark spaces such as under outdoor units, in shrubs and around storage areas.
Is a microchip enough to bring my pet home?
No. Continue contacting public authorities, police and veterinary clinics and search actively. Make sure the phone number registered to the microchip can receive calls.
Is posting on social media enough?
No. Post while also contacting public authorities and police, checking nearby clinics and searching the area. Do not publish microchip numbers, full home addresses or information used to verify ownership.
Sources and limits
- Ministry of the Environment: what to do if a pet goes missing (Japanese)
- Ministry of the Environment: dog and cat microchip Q&A (Japanese)
- National Police Agency: lost property guidance (Japanese)
Information checked on November 7, 2026. Office names, jurisdictions, hours and accepted animals vary. Confirm the latest official local information. This page cannot guarantee that a pet will be found.
This page contains no advertising or affiliate links.