Please ensure that you follow the Orange County Code, Chapter 5-50 pertaining to lost animals:

Every possible effort shall mean attempting to locate the owner of an animal through reasonable means, which may include but is not limited to, the search for an identification tag, tattoo, micro-chip or canvassing of the neighborhood. 

Section 5-53:

(b)   Seizure of at-large animals; harboring and finder-ownership. 

  (1)   When a domestic animal is at-large a person may seize such animal in a humane manner if the owner of the animal is unknown to the person and the owner of the animal is not identified by any form of identification. Any person, who finds a stray domestic animal, where the owner is unknown, shall relinquish custody to the animal services division or file a found animal report with the animal services division within two (2) calendar days after finding the animal. If the person desires to maintain the seized animal as their own, he/she shall maintain such animal for the time set forth in subsection (2) hereinafter.

  (2)   Any person who keeps a found domestic animal for thirty (30) consecutive days, and no owner is found, shall be conclusively presumed to be the owner of such animal.

Before posting an animal on the Orange County Lost & Found Pet Forum you will need to take these simple steps:

1. Click Register on the forum's home page 
2. Carefully read the user terms, and click accept
3. Enter your desired username, password, and email address (required information)
4. Enter your profile information (not required)
5. Select your forum preferences (not required)
6. Click register
7. The forum will indicate that you have successfully registered
8. Check your email to activate your pet forum account (please be sure to check your spam folder if you don't see our email in your inbox)
9. Follow the link sent to your email account
10. You are ready to post!

Are you having trouble registering?

• If you did not get a confirmation message after registering, start the process again
• Check your spam folder for your activation link
• Check your computer and internet settings
• Check your email account settings
• If the email link is not working, copy and paste it to your internet browser (address bar)

Having trouble posting a photo?

• Select the category in which you wish to post (i.e Lost Cats, Lost Dogs, etc)
• Click on "New Topic" on the top right side under RSS
• Once you have input the text you want on the box, click on the tree icon (next to the world icon)
• Make sure your photo is sized to less than 100KB
• Click on "browse" on the left side
• Upload the image you want -- again make sure your photo is less than 100kb otherwise it will not be uploaded

• This is a public website, so carefully review your post before submitting
• Avoid uploading photos of a pet where people (especially children) are shown
• Use caution when providing contact information, use an email address.
• Never post your home address.

• Meet in a public area (fire station, veterinarian's office)
• Do not send money to a stranger that claims they have your pet
• Be weary of pet recovery services, most are scams
• Ask the person that is claiming to have your pet to describe the pet thoroughly before you offer any information
• Never go alone to pick up your pet, let someone know where you are going
• Bring proof of ownership (medical records, photos, etc.)
• Never agree to pay a reward until you have your pet in hand
• If someone has your dog but demands money and won't return your dog unless you pay them, call the police