Lost something in Gainesville? File a report and we'll track it down.
Submit one detailed report, and we'll notify the Gainesville Police Department, RTS Transit Lost & Found, Gainesville Regional Airport, UF Police, and active local recovery channels. Our system then monitors the web continuously for matches across marketplaces, social groups, and community posts for up to 12 months, so you don't have to check back 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
Florida : the legal window is 90 days once the item is in law enforcement custody. Hotels, airports and theme parks set their own, often much shorter, retention policies. (Florida Statutes ch. 705)
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 July 13, 2026.
How ReportLost helps you recover what you've lost in Gainesville
You describe your loss
Tell us what you lost, where, when, and any identifying details. We generate the exact information needed for each local channel.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes directly to the Gainesville Police Department, RTS Lost & Found, UF Police (if applicable), the airport, and other relevant local services. No runaround, no repeated calls.
We monitor for you, automatically
While you move on with your day, our system scans Facebook groups, Nextdoor, Reddit, PawBoost, local classifieds, and marketplace listings repeatedly. The moment a credible match appears, you'll get an alert. Most people never find their own posts; we do the searching for you.
Where to report a lost item in Gainesville
Below are the official channels. ReportLost handles coordination and continuous monitoring so you don't have to manage each one yourself.
Gainesville Police Department
File an online report or contact the non-emergency line. For lost property, the front desk can direct you. We verify which precinct jurisdiction applies and ensure your report is filed with the right detail level.
RTS (Gainesville Transit) Lost & Found
Lost something on an RTS bus? Items are held at the central Lost & Found office. We know the exact contact procedure and hold times so your description reaches them accurately.
Gainesville Regional Airport
If you left an item at GNV, the Gainesville Police Department manages the airport lost and found. We'll ensure your report reaches the right desk with the correct details for airport property claims.
University of Florida Police Department
Lost something on campus or in a UF facility? UF Police has a separate lost and found system at the Ticket Office. We know the retrieval windows and contact points.
City Hall & General Services
For items lost in city buildings or public spaces, the City of Gainesville's main office can log your report. We direct you to the right department and provide all necessary reference information.
Lost Pet?
If you've lost a dog, cat, or other pet, Alachua County Animal Services and local rescue groups are your first call. Check their found-pet listings daily, post to community groups, and notify shelters. For immediate help with a lost pet emergency, file a priority lost pet report with us.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Report now. The sooner you act, the better.
Every hour counts, but once your report is in the system, you can relax. Our team and automation take it from there, monitoring every relevant local channel and marketplace without you having to lift a finger.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Gainesville means contacting the police, checking the bus service, maybe the airport, searching Facebook groups, and refreshing those searches constantly. Different departments, different timelines, different systems. It's exhausting, and most things slip through the cracks because you can't monitor everywhere at once.
ReportLost simplifies this. One report triggers alerts across every relevant local service, and then our automated monitoring takes over. We watch the entire web, local social channels, and community boards 24/7 for months. You report once, and the system works for you while you focus on other things.
Common places where items go missing in Gainesville
Lost something in one of these areas? Tell us the location and we'll ensure your report reaches the right local service.
Downtown Gainesville & University Avenue
The heart of the city, bustling with shops, restaurants, and foot traffic. Items left at cafes, transit stops, or public spaces often end up with local businesses or the police.
University of Florida Campus
A sprawling campus where students lose keys, IDs, and bags daily. UF Police maintains a dedicated lost and found system, separate from the city police.
Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)
TSA checkpoints, baggage claim, and gate areas are common loss hotspots. The airport lost and found is maintained by GPD and airline customer service.
RTS Bus Routes & Transit Stops
Items left on buses or at transfer stations are collected and held at the central RTS lost and found office, with an accurate phone line for inquiries.
Midtown & Shopping Areas
Retail centers, parking lots, and commercial corridors see frequent losses. Reports should specify the business or location for faster retrieval.
Community groups monitoring lost items in Gainesville
Active local networks where found items are posted. ReportLost scans these automatically so you don't have to.
Facebook group for lost and found pets and emergency pet assistance
Facebook community dedicated to reuniting lost pets with owners in Gainesville
Gainesville subreddit where residents post local lost and found alerts
Pet-specific lost and found listings searchable by location and date
Neighborhood-level posts for lost items and sightings in your area
Frequently asked questions about lost items in Gainesville
How long do police and transit services hold lost items?
RTS holds items for a standard retention period before disposal; the exact timeline depends on the item type. Check with RTS Lost & Found directly at (352) 393-7850 for their current hold policy. The Gainesville Police Department also keeps lost property for a limited time. ReportLost makes sure your report is filed immediately so the item is logged under your name.
What's the best way to describe my lost item to the police?
Include the item's exact appearance, size, color, any distinctive marks or engravings, and the precise location and time you last saw it. If it has any electronics or serial numbers, note those. ReportLost gathers this information once and distributes it in the right format to each local service, so you don't have to repeat yourself.
If I lost something on a UF campus bus or in a UF facility, who do I contact?
UF Police Department maintains its own lost and found separate from the city police. You can call UF Police at (352) 392-1111 and pick up items at the Ticket Office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. If your loss occurred on a UF bus, RTS may also be relevant. ReportLost coordinates both channels.
What if I lost something at the airport?
Gainesville Regional Airport's lost and found is managed by the Gainesville Police Department. You can email info@flygainesville.com or call (352) 373-0249. If your loss involves baggage, contact your airline directly. ReportLost ensures the airport service and relevant airline are both notified.
How does ReportLost monitor for my lost item if I don't use social media?
We scan Facebook groups, Nextdoor, Reddit, classifieds, marketplace listings, and other public web sources on your behalf. You don't need a personal account anywhere; our system watches for matching descriptions, dates, and locations. When we find a credible match, we alert you immediately.
Is ReportLost.org an official government service or does it replace the police?
No, ReportLost is an independent service. We are not affiliated with the Gainesville Police Department, RTS, UF Police, or any government agency. We do not replace filing an official police report; instead, we ensure your report reaches the right places and automate the monitoring that most people never get around to doing themselves. Filing with us complements (and streamlines) your official reports.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to track down what you've lost?
The sooner you report, the sooner our system starts working. In just a few minutes, your loss is in the hands of local authorities and under continuous automated surveillance. You'll get alerts the moment something matches.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Gainesville Police Department, City of Gainesville, RTS Transit, Gainesville Regional Airport, University of Florida Police, Alachua County Animal Services, or any other government or municipal agency. We do not replace official police reports or direct contact with local services; we complement them by coordinating your report and automating ongoing web monitoring. All official links and contact information provided are current as of this publication and should be verified directly with each agency.