Found a Cat in Fort Lauderdale? Safe Reporting Steps
· 5 min read
Found a possible lost cat in Fort Lauderdale? Learn how to document identifying details, request a microchip scan and report the cat safely.
Finding a stray or seemingly lost cat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is more common than you might think — Broward County's warm climate and dense neighborhoods mean many cats roam. But a cat that looks stray may be a beloved pet who slipped out recently. Here's what to do if you've found one.
1. Check for a Microchip — This Is the Fastest Way to Find the Owner
Your first call should be to any Fort Lauderdale veterinary clinic. All vets have microchip scanners and will scan a found cat for free. A microchip can identify the owner in minutes. You can also take the cat to Broward County Animal Care (2400 SW 42nd St, Fort Lauderdale) where staff will scan for free.
If the cat has a microchip, the vet or shelter can look up the registered owner through the national microchip database. Please note: If a microchipped cat comes into your care and scans as belonging to another owner — that owner may be desperately searching for them. Please reach out immediately.
2. Report to Broward County Animal Care
Call (954) 359-1313 and file a "found animal" report with Broward County Animal Care. This is the primary database that lost pet owners check first. Include:
- The cat's description (color, markings, approximate age, sex)
- Where exactly you found them (street address or cross streets)
- Date and time found
- Your contact information
3. Post Online — Fort Lauderdale Community Resources
- Nextdoor: Post in the neighborhood where you found the cat and all adjacent neighborhoods
- Lost & Found Pets Broward County (Facebook group) — upload clear photos immediately
- PawBoost Fort Lauderdale — a dedicated lost/found pet alert network
- Finding Rover (findingRover.com) — uses facial recognition for cats and dogs
4. Could It Be One of Our Missing Cats?
We are searching for three missing cats in Fort Lauderdale: RJ (male Ragdoll mix, cream/brown points, blue eyes), Lisana (female Ragdoll mix, cream/white), and Daisy (female Persian mix kitten, white/cream fluffy). All three are microchipped.
If the cat you found could match any of these descriptions, please call +1 (541) 390-2114 immediately. A $5,000 reward per cat is offered for their safe return. See photos at our home page.
5. What Not to Do
- Do NOT immediately take the cat to a shelter — give time for the owner to search
- Do NOT assume a well-fed, clean cat is permanently homeless
- Do NOT post the cat's exact location online publicly — this can attract bad actors
- Do NOT delay reporting — the sooner the owner knows, the better