Lost something in Madison, Indiana? Report it and activate your search.
One report reaches Madison Police Department, City Hall, Metro Transit, the airport, and active local community channels. Your report stays active, continuously matching against new found items so you don't have to check 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 it works
You describe what you lost
Tell us the item, where you lost it, and any details that make it yours. We handle the rest from there.
We route it to the right Madison channels
Your report goes directly to Madison Police Department (Property Room), City Hall, Metro Transit Lost & Found, and Bowman Field Airport. We also post to relevant local social groups so the community can help.
Your report keeps searching automatically
For your entire search period, your report matches against new found items reported on local channels, social posts, and community listings. You get an alert the moment we find a credible match, so you can focus on your day while we work.
Where to report a lost item in Madison, IN
Each channel below handles losses on their own, but ReportLost coordinates them all in one step.
Madison Police Department
Madison Police maintains a citywide lost and found through their Property Room. Items turn up here, and they're the first point of contact for many losses in public spaces. We file your report with the right precinct and provide all the details they need to match your item.
City Hall & Municipal Services
Madison's City Hall coordinates with local businesses and departments to track unclaimed items. Many losses reported to the city eventually reach a central holding area. We ensure your loss is logged with the right City Hall desk and flagged for follow-up.
Metro Transit Madison
Left your wallet, phone, or keys on a city bus? Metro Transit collects all lost items found on vehicles and at stops. Items are held for a window of time before being discarded. We contact Metro Transit with your description so they can check their shelves and actively watch for matches on future lost-and-found reports.
Bowman Field Airport
If you lost an item at Madison's airport, Bowman Field's Lost and Found office is your first stop. Items are catalogued and held according to airport policy. We generate the exact info you need to file an airport report and ensure your description reaches their team.
Lost Pet?
If you've lost a cat, dog, or other pet in the Madison area, contact Madison Animal Control immediately. They coordinate with local shelters and community volunteers to reunite lost animals with owners. Time is critical for pets. File a priority lost pet report so we can broadcast your pet's details to every lost pet network in the region.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Start your search now
The sooner you file a report, the sooner your item can be found. Once you report it, your description stays active and searchable across Madison's channels continuously. You're never starting from zero again.
Report my lost item →Madison's downtown, riverside parks, and local businesses are great places to spend time, but they're also where wallets, keys, phones, and other belongings go missing. When you lose something, it typically lands in separate systems: the police property room, a local store's lost & found, someone's post on Facebook, or maybe a transit bus. Hunting through each one takes days.
ReportLost bridges that gap. One report, filed once, reaches all the right Madison departments and channels at the same time. Then your report stays active, automatically cross-checking new found items against your description for months, so you don't have to revisit the same searches every day. Once you file, you can breathe easy; we keep your loss in active circulation.
Common places where items go missing in Madison
Losses in any of these areas follow the same channels: police, city services, and local community networks.
Downtown & Main Street
Madison's commercial heart sees frequent losses in shops, restaurants, and along the pedestrian corridors. Items often end up in store lost & founds or with local business owners.
Riverfront & Parks
The waterfront and public parks are popular gathering spots where wallets, keys, and personal items are commonly left behind. Local park staff and volunteer groups help recover items.
Public Transit (Buses & Stops)
Metro Transit buses and shelters are hotspots for forgotten belongings. Items are held at Metro's central Lost & Found office on a set schedule.
Bowman Field Airport
Airport terminals and parking areas generate losses daily. The airport's dedicated Lost & Found processes items according to FAA and airport protocols.
Local Businesses & Shopping Districts
Cafes, banks, pharmacies, and retail stores throughout Madison frequently hold items until owners retrieve them or they're donated.
Community channels where found items are shared
Madison residents actively post found items on these platforms. We ensure your report reaches them too.
Active community group for lost and found items in the Madison area
Madison subreddit where locals post and discuss lost items
Neighborhood-based alerts that spread quickly through local blocks
Official updates and community safety information
Frequently asked questions
How long does Madison Police hold lost items?
Madison Police Department typically holds lost and found items for a set period before disposal. Contact the Property Room at (812) 265-2121 to confirm the current holding timeline and check on your specific item.
How long does Metro Transit keep lost items?
Metro Transit holds found items for a limited time before they're processed. Call Metro Transit Lost & Found at (608) 266-4904 or email mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com to ask about your item and the holding window.
Can I claim a lost item from Bowman Field if I'm not a passenger?
Yes, you can contact Bowman Field Lost & Found at (608) 661-4809 during office hours. Provide a description and your contact details, and airport staff will search their inventory.
What should I do if I lost a pet in Madison?
Call Madison Animal Control immediately at (812) 265-2648 (option 2) to report your lost pet. They'll work with local shelters and help coordinate a search. Also post to the local Lost/Found Pets in Hanover/Madison Area Facebook group for community support.
Why should I use ReportLost instead of calling each place myself?
You can certainly call each office individually, but it takes time and you have to remember which numbers to dial, what details to mention, and when to follow up. ReportLost files your report with all the right Madison channels at once and keeps your report active continuously, automatically checking new found items against your description for months. You only file once.
Is ReportLost.org an official city service?
No, ReportLost is an independent service that connects your report to official Madison channels (police, city hall, transit, airport, and animal control). We're not affiliated with the city, but we work with their systems and your community to maximize the chances of recovering your item. The police report, the transit report, and any other official filings are still your responsibility, but we coordinate them and add continuous automated searching on top.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to report your loss?
Filing your report takes just a few minutes. Once it's in, your description activates across Madison's network and stays searchable for your entire search period. No daily checking required. Let's find it.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with Madison Police Department, City of Madison, Metro Transit, Bowman Field Airport, Madison Animal Control, or any other city agency or business listed on this page. We coordinate with these official channels and community platforms on your behalf, but your report remains your responsibility. Always contact official services directly for urgent or time-sensitive situations.