Lost something in Ames? Report it once and let us handle the rest.
One report reaches the Ames Police Department, the City of Ames, CyRide, local Nextdoor networks, and Facebook groups. We then monitor the web continuously for matches so you don't have to check back daily.
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
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 in Ames
You tell us what you lost
Share details about your item, where you lost it in Ames, and when. We gather everything the right local channels need.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes directly to the Ames Police Department's property desk, the appropriate city department, CyRide if applicable, and active local community channels like Nextdoor and Facebook groups.
We search for you automatically
For months, our system scans the entire web, local marketplace listings, community posts, and social channels for items matching your description. When we find a credible match, you get an alert with details, and you take it from there.
Where lost items go in Ames
These are the official channels and services where your item might end up. We report to all of them for you.
Ames Police Department Property & Evidence
The Ames Police Department holds found items in their property room. If your item was turned in by another person or recovered during a police call, it's likely here. We file your report with them and provide you with their direct contact for follow-ups.
Property & Evidence: 515-239-5324|Main Police Line: 515-223-1400
City of Ames Departments
City Hall and its various departments may have received your lost item if you lost it at a public facility, park, or city event. We identify the right department for your situation and connect you with the appropriate office.
CyRide Lost & Found
Left something on a bus? CyRide's lost and found holds items dropped on routes throughout Ames and the Iowa State area. We alert them with your details so their team knows to look for your item.
Lost Pet? Local Pet Resources
If your missing pet hasn't been found by animal control or returned to the shelter, our team can help you escalate. Post on Ames Missing Pets, check with the Ames Animal Shelter, and contact the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. We can also help you file a priority lost pet report through our dedicated system.
Ames Municipal Airport
If you lost an item at Ames Municipal Airport, contact the airport operations office. We have their contact details and can direct you to the right department.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to start your search?
The sooner you report, the sooner our team is monitoring for matches. Fill out your report details and we'll take it from there.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Ames can mean making calls to the police, checking multiple Facebook groups, scrolling through Nextdoor posts, and phoning CyRide if you left it on a bus. These channels rarely talk to each other, so your lost item can sit in one place while you search another. ReportLost simplifies this: one report replaces all those phone calls and site visits.
After you submit, our team alerts the relevant services and departments, and then our automated system keeps looking across the web for 12 months. You won't have to refresh Ames Missing Pets or the Ames/Boone Iowa Animals group every day; we notify you the moment something credible surfaces. It's the peace of mind that comes from knowing someone is actively searching while you move forward.
Common places to lose things in Ames
Whether you lost something downtown, near campus, or on a bus, knowing the area helps us narrow the search.
Downtown Ames & Main Street
Shops, restaurants, and the heart of the city. Items left in stores or on the street often end up with local businesses or police.
Iowa State University Campus
One of the most common areas where students and visitors lose items. ISU Police has its own lost and found and coordinates with Ames Police and CyRide.
CyRide Bus Routes
Items left on buses are held at CyRide's office. Call them within a few days to check, and we'll file your report with them.
Parks and Recreation Areas
Ledges State Park, Ada Hayden Lake, and local parks are popular gathering spots. Parks may hold items, and the City of Ames can direct you to the right office.
Ames Municipal Airport
Items left in terminals, parking areas, or rental car facilities. The airport's operations office can check their lost and found.
Community channels where lost items appear
Ames residents use these platforms to post and share found items. We monitor them and alert you of matches.
Facebook group for missing and found pets
Facebook group covering Ames and surrounding areas
Neighborhood platform where lost and found items are posted locally
Reddit community for Iowa State students and Ames residents
Questions about lost items in Ames
How long does the Ames Police Department hold found items?
The Ames Police Department holds items in their property room for a standard retention period. Contact their Property & Evidence desk at 515-239-5324 to confirm the timeline for your specific item. After that period, items may be disposed of or donated.
If I lost something on CyRide, what's the best way to recover it?
Call CyRide's Lost & Found at 515-292-1100 as soon as possible with the route number, the time you traveled, and a description of your item. We'll file your report with them so their team is on the lookout. Items are typically held for a reasonable period before being discarded or donated.
Do I need to go in person to check the police lost and found?
No. You can call the Ames Police Department's Property & Evidence desk at 515-239-5324 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to check if your item has been turned in. We'll have that information ready for you in your report.
What if I lost my pet in Ames?
Contact the Ames Animal Shelter at 515-239-5530 immediately, post on the Ames Missing Pets or Ames/Boone Iowa Animals Facebook groups, and check with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa at 515-262-9503. ReportLost also offers a dedicated lost pet reporting system to help coordinate your search.
Does ReportLost replace calling the police or checking with services myself?
ReportLost is an independent service that complements official channels. We file your report on your behalf with the Ames Police, City departments, CyRide, and community networks, and then we run an automated search for months. However, for immediate concerns, you can always call the Ames Police non-emergency line at 515-223-1400 or emergency services at 911.
Is ReportLost.org affiliated with the City of Ames or the police department?
No. ReportLost is an independent service that works to connect you with the right local authorities and channels. We are not an official city or police department system, but we are designed to make reporting easier and to keep searching on your behalf long after you've filed a single report.
Lost & found in nearby cities
File your report and let us search
Once you submit, our team notifies the relevant Ames services and begins monitoring for matches. You'll receive alerts if something credible appears online, and you can focus on other things knowing we're working on your behalf.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Ames Police Department, the City of Ames, CyRide, the Ames Animal Shelter, Iowa State University Police, Ames Municipal Airport, or any other city or service mentioned on this page. We are a third-party platform designed to help you report lost items and search the web for matches. Always contact the official agencies directly for urgent matters or for the most current information about their procedures and holding periods.