Lost something in Cortland? Here is who to contact.
Submit one report and we connect you with the Cortland Police Department, Town Hall, local lost pet networks, and active community channels. Your report stays active, continuously matching against new found items and posts.
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
Illinois : the holding period depends on value: six months for items under $100, one year above. (765 ILCS 1020)
No report has been filed in Cortland yet. Yours would be the first, and it gets a public page that anyone who finds your item can search.
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 It Works
You tell us what you lost
Describe the item, where and when you lost it, and any identifying details. Include a photo if you have one.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes straight to the Cortland Police Department, Town Hall, Tails Humane Society (if it's a pet), and the local lost and found groups where your neighbors are already looking.
Your report keeps searching for you
For your entire search period, your report automatically checks new found posts, community announcements, and shelter updates. You get an alert the moment a credible match appears, so you don't have to refresh Facebook groups or call shelters every day.
Where to Report Your Loss in Cortland
Cortland has several places to report a lost item. We help you contact all of them at once.
Cortland Police Department
The Police Department accepts lost and found reports and maintains a log of items turned in by residents and businesses. They can also advise on items lost at specific locations. We generate the exact details they'll need and route your report to their non-emergency line.
Town of Cortland Administration
Town Hall serves as a central resource for lost items and can connect you with the right department or public service. They maintain a record of found items and community reports. We point you to the right desk so you don't have to navigate multiple departments.
Lost Pet Networks
If you've lost a dog, cat, or other pet, Tails Humane Society in nearby DeKalb is the primary shelter, and the Lost & Found Pets community groups on Facebook are where neighbors post sightings. DeKalb County Animal Control also responds to stray animals during business hours. We alert all of these networks immediately and keep your pet report active until you find your companion. You can also file a priority lost pet report on our platform for extra visibility.
Community Groups
Cortland residents actively use Facebook groups and neighborhood forums to report and locate lost items. The Lost & Found Pets group and r/chicago on Reddit are popular places to post. We cross-post your report to these channels so your neighbors see it immediately.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to search smarter?
The sooner you report, the sooner eyes are on the lookout. Once your report is in, our team handles the official channels and community notifications, and your case stays active while you move forward.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Cortland means checking multiple places: the Police Department on Halwood Street, Town Hall on Somonauk Road, local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and if it's a pet, contacting Tails Humane Society and DeKalb County Animal Control. Each place operates independently, on different schedules, and what one doesn't have, another might.
ReportLost simplifies that. One report reaches all the official channels and community spaces at once, and then your report stays active for months, continuously cross-referencing new found items so you can focus on your day instead of searching.
Common Places People Lose Items in Cortland
Let us know where you lost your item. It helps us route your report to the right local services.
Downtown Cortland
Along Somonauk Road and near Town Hall and local businesses.
Residential Streets
Including Joslyn Street, Crabapple Avenue, and neighborhood areas where items are often left behind or lost during travel.
Route 38 Corridor
Along Illinois Route 38, a main thoroughfare where items may be lost during commutes or shopping trips.
Parks & Open Spaces
Local parks and community areas where pets and personal items are frequently misplaced.
Cortland's Active Community Channels
Your neighbors are already looking. We make sure your lost item gets posted to the spaces where people gather.
Active Facebook group for lost and found pets in the Cortland area
Chicago subreddit where residents post lost items and pets across the region
Neighborhood app where local residents share alerts and found items
Local Cortland and DeKalb County groups focused on community safety and lost items
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly does the Cortland Police Department log lost items?
The Police Department accepts reports during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Non-emergency calls are answered at 815-756-2558. Items are logged and searchable, but the sooner you report, the better your chances of recovery. ReportLost gets your report there immediately and keeps it active in case a match appears later.
How long will the police hold a found item?
Check with the Cortland Police Department directly at 815-756-2558 for their current hold period. We recommend reporting early and including all identifying details to speed up the match.
Can I post about my lost item on Tails Humane Society or DeKalb County Animal Control?
If it's a pet, yes. Tails Humane Society accepts found pets and maintains records. We alert them directly when you file a lost pet report, and DeKalb County Animal Control responds to stray animals during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM). You can also post in the Lost & Found Pets, Cortland Illinois group for immediate community visibility.
What if I lost something near Route 38 or in a nearby town?
Tell us the exact location, and we'll route your report to the right jurisdiction. If it crossed into a neighboring area, we'll notify those services too. Cortland and the surrounding DeKalb County area share resources, so community channels often overlap.
How does ReportLost keep my report active?
Your report stays in our system for your entire search period (12 months). We automatically cross-reference new found posts, community group alerts, shelter updates, and marketplace listings against your description. You get an alert the moment a credible match appears, so you don't have to check Facebook or call shelters every day yourself.
Is ReportLost.org officially affiliated with the Cortland Police Department or Town of Cortland?
No, ReportLost is an independent service. We're not part of the government, but we work with official channels and community groups to amplify your report. We route your information to the police, town hall, and local networks, and then our system keeps searching on your behalf. Think of us as a helper that makes sure your report reaches all the right places and doesn't get buried while you move on with your life.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search today.
One report, all the right places, and a search that keeps going for months. The fastest way to bring your lost item home.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Cortland Police Department, Town of Cortland, Tails Humane Society, DeKalb County Animal Control, or any other government or private entity mentioned on this page. We work to route your report to these official channels and community spaces, but we are not an official lost and found service. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency police assistance, contact the Cortland Police Department directly at 815-756-2558.