Lost, found and wandering animals
Brisbane City Council maintains a register for lost and found animals in Brisbane.
Wandering animals
Domestic animals wandering at large can be a danger to themselves, other animals and members of the public. A pet getting out can also be a cause for great concern and anxiety for the owner and their family. It is a requirement under Council’s Animals Local Law 2017 to maintain an enclosure for your animal and to prevent them from wandering at large. Find more information on keeping a pet in Brisbane.
Search for a lost pet
Brisbane City Council maintains a register for lost and found animals in Brisbane. To search for your pet you can:
- check if your lost animal is at a Council animal rehoming centre and claim your found animal as soon as possible
- check with and visit the animal rehoming centres during opening hours
- contact the RSPCA and local vets
Report a lost pet
If you have lost your pet, contact Council and provide the following information:
- your name and contact details
- your pet’s name
- your pet’s registration number
- a description of your pet
- where and when you last saw your pet
- your pet's microchip number (if applicable).
Report a found pet
If you have found someone’s pet or livestock, contact Council and provide the following information:
- your name and contact details
- the registration tag number (if available)
- a description of the animal
- where and when you found the animal
- the pet’s microchip number (if available).
Claim your animal from a Council animal rehoming centre
If your animal has been found wandering by Council it may be impounded. There are fees and certain conditions that must be met in order to collect your animal from a rehoming centre. Council impounds lost animals in the animal rehoming centre for a prescribed period. The length of impoundment depends on the following circumstances:
- a cat or dog must be held for a period of five days if a permanent identification mark exists, or it is registered with a local government
- a cat or dog must be held for a period of three days if there is no permanent identification mark, or it is not registered with a local government
- livestock is held for up to ten days.
If your lost pet is identified on the lost and found animal list, you can claim it by contacting the rehoming centre and quoting the animal ID reference number. An animal release fee will apply for the impounded animal.
It is recommended that you visit the animal rehoming centre to ensure that it is your pet, as your description and the rehoming centre's description may vary.
When you collect your animal from the animal rehoming centre, you:
- will need to provide identification (i.e. drivers license)
- will need to pay fees to cover the time your animal spent in the rehoming centre along with any other fees prescribed by Council
- will need to register your dog (if not already registered)
- will need to have your animal microchipped (if it is a cat or dog and doesn’t already have one)
- may receive an infringement notice if the animal was in breach of the state law or Council's local laws.
Note: it is the owner's responsibility to appropriately deal with any dispute over the ownership of the animal. Council will reference registration and microchip records to determine the legal owner.
Unclaimed animals
Unclaimed animals may be placed for adoption. Livestock may be sold through an expression of interest. As a last resort, animals not suitable for rehoming may be euthanised.