Report abandoned or free-roaming pets (found animals)
From a purely legal point of view, found pets and domestic animals are "lost property".
This means that the municipalities are responsible as lost property authorities. They must accept found animals and accommodate them appropriately.
The lost property authority therefore usually hands over the found animals to a suitable organisation (e.g. an animal shelter).
You can also contact the animal shelter in your city or district directly. You can hand in the found animal there by telephone or during opening hours.
Responsible authority
the lost property office of the respective municipality
the local animal shelter
Contact
Details
Prerequisite
none
Procedure
If free-roaming animals jeopardise public safety, especially road safety, you should inform the police immediately.
If you have found an animal, contact your local authority. You can report the find there and hand in the animal by arrangement.
As the lost property authority, the municipality will then usually take care of the animal's further accommodation and care or can give you the name of the local animal shelter.
Deadlines
none
Required documents
possibly: Lost property report form of the municipality
Costs
none
Miscellaneous
Animal welfare organisations and animal shelters perform an important task for society in this area. As they are very busy, you should make an appointment by telephone in advance. The animal welfare organisations that run the animal shelters are always grateful for donations that benefit the animals.
If the owner has not contacted us after four weeks, the animal is considered abandoned. It can then be passed on to interested parties.
Legal basis
Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
- § 965 Anzeigepflicht des Finders
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Ministerium für Ernährung, Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz Baden-Württemberg, 28.08.2025