Lost and found in Amherst, Massachusetts: where to report and search for your belongings
Items lost in Amherst are processed through the police department, UMass Transit, and individual businesses and venues. ReportLost files your report with the relevant local services and keeps your report active, automatically matching it against newly reported 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 helps you in Amherst
You report your loss
Describe what you lost and where it went missing. We gather the specifics we need to contact the right departments and businesses in Amherst.
We connect you to the right places
We file your report with the Amherst Police Department, UMass Transit lost and found, and other relevant local services. We provide you with direct contact info and next steps for each one.
Your report keeps searching
For the next 12 months, your report stays active and automatically checks against found items reported to local services, social media posts, and community channels. You'll get an alert if a match comes in, so you don't have to track it yourself every day.
Where Amherst items are held and how to reach them
Each location has its own lost and found process. ReportLost handles the routing and follow-up.
Amherst Police Department
The police station is the main hub for lost items in town. If you lost something on the street, in a public space, or anywhere without an obvious owner, the police department is your first stop. We tell you which local precinct handles your area and what details they'll need.
UMass Transit (PVTA) Lost and Found
Items left on campus buses, shuttle routes, or at bus stops are collected at the UMass Transit facility. The lost and found is staffed Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We can connect you directly to their number so you know exactly what to say when you call.
Local shops and businesses
Downtown Amherst stores, restaurants, and venues keep their own lost and found counters. We generate a checklist of the kinds of places to contact based on where you think you lost your item, and provide you with the right phone numbers and hours.
Lost pets
If you've lost a cat or dog, contact Amherst Animal Control immediately. They can flag your pet as lost in local systems and coordinate with shelters in the area. The community also shares pet alerts on Facebook and other social channels. File a priority lost pet report
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Report your lost item
The sooner your report is filed, the sooner it enters the local search network and gets matched against items found in Amherst. Once it's done, the search runs automatically.
Report my lost item →Amherst spreads across campus, downtown, and residential neighborhoods, making it easy to leave something behind on the UMass shuttle, in a local shop, or at a community venue. Lost items end up in different places: the police station, the transit authority, or the business where you left them. Piecing together all those phone calls and websites takes time when you're already stressed.
ReportLost simplifies that. You file once, we notify the police department, UMass Transit, and other services that matter. Then your report keeps working for you, automatically matching your description against items found in the area and announced online. Once your report is in the system, you can step back. The search continues for a full year without you having to follow up every week.
Common places where people lose items in Amherst
Lost items in these areas are typically held by the police, transit, or the business itself.
Downtown and Main Street
Shops, cafes, and restaurants along Main Street and the town center. Check with individual merchants first, then call the police non-emergency line if you don't find it.
UMass Campus
Academic buildings, libraries, student centers, and campus buses. Contact UMass Police or the specific building where you were last.
Bus routes and transit stops
Items left on PVTA or UMass shuttle buses are held at the UMass Transit facility. Call them with your route number and time of travel.
Town parks and recreational areas
Parks, trails, and outdoor spaces. Contact the Amherst Police Department and check with the Recreation Department if your item was at a town facility.
Residential neighborhoods
If lost near home, check nearby businesses first, then report to the police non-emergency line with a precise location.
Community and social channels for lost items
Many found items are posted first on local Facebook groups and community pages. ReportLost monitors these channels and alerts you if your item appears.
Facebook group for lost and found pets in the area
Official town updates and community posts
Neighborhood-level posts where residents often report found items
Reddit communities with lost and found threads
Frequently asked questions about lost and found in Amherst
How long does the Amherst Police Department hold lost items?
The police department retains lost property for a set period before it may be disposed of or donated. Call the non-emergency line at (413) 259-3000 to ask about the current holding policy and claim your item if it has been turned in.
What if I lost something on a UMass bus?
Call UMass Transit lost and found at (413) 545-0056 with the bus route number, approximate time, and description of your item. They're open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items are held for a specified period, so contact them as soon as possible with those details.
Where do I pick up a lost item once it's been found?
If your item is found by the police, you retrieve it at the station: 111 Main Street, Amherst, MA 01002. For transit items, pickup is at UMass Transit, 185 Holdsworth Way. If a business holds it, you'll collect it from that location. We provide you with the exact address and hours once we confirm your item is there.
How do I report a lost pet in Amherst?
Call Amherst Animal Control at (413) 478-7084 and post to the Lost Pets of Amherst Facebook group. The sooner you report, the better. You can also file a priority lost pet report through ReportLost, which alerts local animal services and shelters in the region.
What if I lost something at a store or restaurant downtown?
Call the business directly first, as they often keep items behind the counter. If it's not there, we can help you identify which other local places might be relevant and provide you with a list of phone numbers to contact. The police department is also a good backup if you can't reach the business.
Is ReportLost.org an official service of Amherst or the police department?
No. ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside local authorities. We file your report with the relevant Amherst Police Department, UMass Police, transit authority, and other agencies that accept third-party reports. We're not affiliated with any of those agencies, but we help route your information to them so you don't have to contact each one separately.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search today
Filing your report takes just a few minutes. Once done, the Amherst police department, UMass Transit, and local businesses are notified, and your report will match against found items for 12 months.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Amherst Police Department, UMass Police, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), or any town of Amherst office. We file reports with these organizations where they accept third-party submissions and provide you with direct contact information and instructions for submitting reports where they do not. All contact information, phone numbers, and links are current as of publication but may change. Always verify details directly with the relevant office before making a trip or sending sensitive information.