My pet has been missing for over a month. Is there still a chance I could find them?

Yes, there is always a chance of being reunited with your pet—even after weeks or months. Families have been reunited long after their pets first went missing.

That said, it’s important to understand that the more time that passes, the greater the risk that your pet may have been rehomed or adopted. Most shelters are required to hold stray pets for only a short period of time (the “stray hold”). Once that hold ends, the shelter or rescue can legally place the pet up for adoption.

This is why acting quickly when a pet goes missing is so important. The sooner you create a lost pet listing and begin contacting shelters, the greater your chances of being reunited. If your pet has already been adopted into a new home, unfortunately, there may be very limited options for recovery.