My animal has gone missing
Act quickly and calmly, in this order. Most animals are found very close to home, within the first few days.
Injured animal, or in distress? Call your usual vet or your region's veterinary emergency service, without delay. This service does not replace veterinary emergency care. To find one: vet directory or exotic-pet emergencies on nac.ch. As a last resort, to find a vet near you: search for “emergency vet near me” on Google Maps — the link opens Google's own site, which will ask for your location; animaux.ch never asks for it.
The first steps, in order
- Search close to home first: hiding places in the house, cellar, garage, cars, neighbours' gardens and garages. A frightened cat often hides within 200 metres and will not answer when called.
- Tell the neighbourhood, local shops and nearby veterinary practices. Leave a phone number.
- Report the disappearance to the service designated by your canton (police, shelter or competent service) and check that the microchip is registered in your name, with up-to-date contact details.
- Make a poster: a clear photo, species, name, place and date it went missing, a number you answer. Put it up within a one-kilometre radius and leave some in shops.
- For a cat or a small animal: at night, leave its blanket or litter and a little food by the door. Check early in the morning and late at night, when everything is quiet.
A rabbit, ferret, rodent, bird or reptile? These animals weaken quickly outdoors. The nac.ch profiles list their usual hiding places and their specific needs. See the profiles
Publish a missing-animal notice
Publish a missing-animal notice Your notice online: a poster to print, a short code, a QR code and protected contact — without your phone number or e-mail address being published.