Lost something in Johnston? Here are the offices that take your report.
One report routes your loss to the Johnston Police Department, local businesses, and active community channels. Your report stays active, continuously matching against new found items.
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 Johnston
You file your report
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We capture all the details needed to alert the right places in Johnston.
We notify the right channels
Your report goes to Johnston Police, local lost and found offices, and community networks. You don't have to make the calls yourself.
Your report keeps searching
For your entire search period, your report automatically cross-references new found items, social posts, and local listings. You get alerts when a credible match surfaces, so you're not checking sites every day.
Where lost items end up in Johnston
Know where to look, or let us tell the right people for you.
Johnston Police Department
Items turned in to police are logged and held. We tell you which desk handles lost property and generate the details you'd need to include when you call or visit.
City Hall & Public Services
Johnston City Hall keeps logs of items left in civic buildings and can direct you to the right department. We point you to the right office to call.
Des Moines International Airport
If you lost something while traveling through Des Moines airport, the airport authority's lost and found maintains a searchable database. Items are held for a set period.
Lost Pet
If your cat or dog is missing in Johnston, the City's animal impound facility holds lost animals, and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa also helps reunite pets with owners. We can file a priority lost pet report that alerts shelters and rescues right away.
Shops, Restaurants & Venues
Businesses throughout Johnston (downtown, Merle Hay area, and local establishments) keep lost and found bins. We ensure your loss is shared with the places where you were when you lost it.
Community Groups
Johnston and Des Moines residents post on Facebook lost and found groups and local subreddits. We get your item description into these active community networks so neighbors can help search.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
The sooner you report, the sooner we start routing
Submitting your loss right away gives our team the freshest details and the best window to reach businesses and police while your item is still top of mind. Once it's filed, you can take a breath, and we keep the search active in the background.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Johnston, Iowa can feel scattered. Between the Johnston Police Department, local businesses, community groups, and online marketplaces, tracking down a lost item means making multiple calls, posting in several places, and checking back constantly. Most people give up after a few days.
ReportLost simplifies this. One submission to us triggers alerts across the right local channels and keeps your report actively searching for a match throughout your entire recovery window, 12 months. You report once, we handle the routing, and your search continues without you having to do the legwork every single day.
Common places where people lose items in Johnston
Knowing where you were last helps us target the right places to notify.
Downtown & Merle Hay Road Corridor
Shopping, dining, and civic offices cluster along this main strip. Easy to leave items in shops or public buildings.
Johnston Library & Community Center
Public spaces where families and locals gather. Items left here often end up with building staff.
Parks & Recreation Areas
Trails, sports facilities, and green spaces around Johnston. Outdoor items are sometimes turned in to nearby business offices.
Residential Neighborhoods
Items lost near home or while walking through quiet streets may be picked up by neighbors and reported to local Facebook groups.
Interstate 35 & Highway Corridors
Gas stations, rest stops, and businesses near major routes. Travel items are frequently left at these transit hubs.
Community networks searching for lost items
Johnston residents actively help each other find lost belongings and pets.
Facebook group covering Johnston and greater Des Moines
Facebook community for lost and found pets in the region
Reddit community where locals post lost items and pet alerts
Neighborhood and community-specific lost and found pages
Common questions about lost items in Johnston
How long does Johnston Police hold lost items?
The Johnston Police Department logs items turned in to their Lost & Found. For specific hold times and retrieval procedures, contact them at 515-278-2345 during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). When you report with us, we help you understand exactly what to ask.
What if I lost something at Des Moines airport?
The Des Moines International Airport Lost & Found is separate from the city. Items are held and searchable through their online form. You can also call 515-202-9114. We ensure your report reaches airport operations if your loss happened during travel.
Where do I pick up my lost pet if it's been impounded?
Johnston's animal impound is at the Public Works Facility (6400 NW Beaver Drive). Call 515-278-0822 or 515-278-2345 to confirm your pet is there before visiting. There's a $50 per animal impound fee. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (515-284-6905) also helps reunite pets. Our lost pet reports alert both organizations immediately.
I lost my item in a Johnston business. Who should I contact?
Call the business directly first to ask if your item is in their lost and found. If you're unsure which business or need help tracking it down, we'll help you identify the right places to contact based on where you were when you lost it.
How does ReportLost.org keep my report active for months?
When you file with us, your report enters our matching system. For 12 months, we automatically cross-reference new found item posts on social media, local listings, and lost and found databases against your description. You receive alerts when a credible match is found, so your search continues passively in the background without you having to check multiple sites daily.
Is ReportLost.org an official city service or police department?
ReportLost is an independent service, not affiliated with Johnston Police, the city, or any government agency. We complement official lost and found channels by routing your report to the right people and keeping your search active over time. We're not a replacement for police reports, but we do make sure your loss reaches the organizations that can help.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to start your search?
Filing your report takes just a few minutes. Once it's submitted, your loss is routed to the people and places that matter in Johnston, and your report stays on the case for months. Get started now.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Johnston Police Department, City of Johnston, Des Moines International Airport, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, or any other government or private entity mentioned. We work to route your report to these organizations and keep your search active, but we do not replace official lost and found processes or police reports. Always file a report with local police if you believe your loss involved theft or a crime.