Lost something in Scotts Valley? Here are the offices that take your report.
One report goes to the Scotts Valley Police Department, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, local transit services, and active community channels. Your report stays active, automatically matching against new found items and alerts, so you don't have to check every day.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
California : found property must be held by law enforcement for at least 90 days before it can pass to the finder, be auctioned or disposed of. (California Civil Code §2080.2)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How ReportLost Works
You file a report
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We capture all the details needed to reach the right recovery channels in Scotts Valley and beyond.
We route it to the right places
Your report reaches Scotts Valley Police, relevant transit services, community groups, and local lost-and-found networks in Santa Cruz County instantly.
Your report searches for you
Throughout your entire search period, your report keeps searching automatically, cross-checking new found items and alerts across all channels. You get notified the moment a credible match appears, without lifting a finger.
Where to Report a Lost Item in Scotts Valley
Each channel below handles certain types of losses. ReportLost contacts them all at once and keeps your report active.
Scotts Valley Police Department
The police department is your first point of contact for lost items, theft reports, and general recovery assistance. Their lobby is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We tell you which officers to contact and what info to provide.
Call (831) 440-5670 (non-emergency)|Visit the Police Department
Scotts Valley City Hall
City Hall can direct you to specific departments or municipal services that may have your lost item, and can assist with administrative inquiries about recovery procedures.
Santa Cruz Metro & Local Transit
Lost an item on the bus or at a stop? Santa Cruz Metro handles lost-and-found claims on fixed-route buses. Call customer service and provide the route, date, and time. We generate the exact info needed for your claim.
Lost & Found Pets
If you've lost a cat, dog, or other pet in Scotts Valley, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is the official lost pet repository for the entire county. They're open 7 days a week and also coordinate with community pet recovery groups. file a priority lost pet report with us for immediate distribution to the shelter and local pet networks.
UC Santa Cruz (if you lost it on campus)
UCSC has its own lost-and-found system. If your loss occurred on or near campus, contact their Police Department. We can help you pinpoint whether UCSC services apply to your situation.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to boost your recovery chances?
The sooner your report reaches all the right channels and starts searching, the higher your odds of reconnection. Getting your loss into the system now means it'll be found faster if it turns up.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Scotts Valley is frustrating because recovery options are scattered: the police department handles some items, transit customer service handles others, the animal shelter manages lost pets, and the community relies on multiple Facebook groups to spread the word. Most people end up making the same calls and posts to different places on their own, and even then, they miss alerts posted after the first few days.
ReportLost shortens the whole process. You describe what you lost once, and we route that report to Scotts Valley Police, Santa Cruz County services, and local community channels automatically. Then your report stays live and keeps searching for a match for your entire recovery window, so you can stop worrying and get back to your day.
Common places where items go missing in Scotts Valley
Wherever you lost it, ReportLost makes sure the right local teams are notified.
Downtown Civic Center
The heart of Scotts Valley, home to City Hall, the Police Department, and frequent foot traffic through shops and services.
Scotts Valley Transit Hubs
Bus stops and transit shelters are hotspots for lost wallets, phones, and personal items on commutes and errands.
Retail & Shopping Areas
Shopping centers and local businesses see a steady flow of lost purses, keys, and glasses left behind at counters and parking lots.
UC Santa Cruz & Campus Surroundings
Students and visitors frequently lose items in dorms, libraries, dining halls, and around campus transit routes.
San Lorenzo Valley Parks & Recreation
Trails, parks, and recreational areas are common places for items to be mislaid during outdoor activities.
Community networks actively helping
These groups are where lost items and pets get spotted and shared fastest. ReportLost posts your alert across these channels so you reach the widest net.
Facebook group covering Scotts Valley and the wider Santa Cruz area
Dedicated Facebook group for San Lorenzo Valley lost pet recovery
Reddit community for the Santa Cruz area, including Scotts Valley residents
Active Facebook group for local news, lost items, and community alerts
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Scotts Valley Police keep lost items?
The police department typically holds lost items for a set period before disposal. Contact them at (831) 440-5670 to confirm how long your specific item will be retained. ReportLost keeps your report active to match against items turned in during that window and beyond.
Where do I claim a lost item after it's been found?
If your item is found, you'll be directed to either the Scotts Valley Police Department, the relevant transit service, or the appropriate venue where it was recovered. ReportLost will notify you immediately with collection details.
How long does the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter hold lost pets?
Check with the shelter directly at (831) 454-7200 or visit their website for current hold policies. They're open 7 days a week, 11am–6pm. Filing a lost pet report with ReportLost ensures the shelter and all pet recovery networks are alerted right away.
Can I report a loss that happened on a Santa Cruz Metro bus?
Yes. Call Santa Cruz Metro Customer Service at (831) 425-8600 (8am–5pm, Mon–Fri) with the date, time, route, and description. ReportLost prepares this exact information so you're ready to make the call or we handle the routing for you.
What if my lost item was on UC Santa Cruz property?
UCSC has its own lost-and-found system. Contact UCSC Police at (831) 459-2231 (9am–4pm, Mon–Fri) or file a report with ReportLost and we'll route it to them. If it's a pet lost near campus, we also alert the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.
Is ReportLost.org an official city service or police-affiliated?
ReportLost is an independent service, not run by Scotts Valley Police or the city government. We partner with official channels by routing your report to them and keeping it active in the search ecosystem. The police, shelters, and transit services you contact remain the official recovery points, and you can always contact them directly.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Don't let your lost item fade from memory.
File your report now and let the system work for you. Your description goes out to all the right places in Scotts Valley, and your report stays active, searching for a match day after day, so you can move forward knowing you've done everything possible.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the Scotts Valley Police Department, City of Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, Santa Cruz Metro, UC Santa Cruz, or any other official agency. We work to route your report to these organizations and keep it active in the search ecosystem, but they remain the official recovery channels. For emergency services, always call 911.