Lost and found in Fairhaven, Massachusetts: reporting and recovery options
Lost items in Fairhaven are managed through the Police Department, Town Hall, local transit, and individual businesses. ReportLost.org files your report with the relevant offices and keeps it active, automatically matching it against found items posted locally.
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 Fairhaven
You report the loss
Complete a brief description of your missing item, where and when you lost it, and any details that help identify it. We gather the essential information in one place.
We route it to the right places
Your report is filed with the Fairhaven Police Department, Town Hall, and other relevant services. We determine which offices accept third-party reports and provide you the exact links, phone numbers, and steps to follow if direct contact is needed.
Your report stays active and searching
For the next 12 months, your report automatically checks new lost and found posts, local Facebook groups, and community announcements. You receive an alert if a match emerges, so you don't have to search manually every day.
Where lost items are handled in Fairhaven
Each channel has its own process. ReportLost notifies the right ones for you.
Fairhaven Police Department
Items lost or turned in around town, including wallets, keys, phones, glasses, and jewelry, are typically held here. The non-emergency line connects you to their property records. We identify whether your loss falls within their jurisdiction and relay the specifics they need.
Town Hall and Town Clerk
Items found on public property or handed in at Town Hall are logged by the Town Clerk's office. Passports, travel documents, and official identification sometimes turn up here. We provide the right extension and confirm their current procedures.
Public Transit
If you left an item on a local bus or route serving Fairhaven, the regional transit authority handles the recovery. Contact their lost and found line to check inventory. We direct you to the right phone number and hours.
Lost and Found Pets
Cats, dogs, and other animals are brought to the Fairhaven Animal Shelter or reported to the Town's Animal Officer. Local lost pet groups on Facebook and community networks amplify the search. If you've lost a pet, we connect you with both official channels and the active community alert system. File a priority lost pet report
Martha's Vineyard Airport
If you traveled through the regional airport, items left in terminals or at security are held by Passenger Services. Direct contact via their dedicated line is usually fastest for time-sensitive items like boarding passes and IDs.
Shops, restaurants, and local businesses
Items left in stores, restaurants, or galleries are held by the business itself. Each venue has its own retention period and recovery process. We help you organize which places to contact and what information to provide.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Start organizing your search
The sooner you file a report, the sooner Fairhaven's channels are notified and the search begins. Once submitted, you can step back and let the system keep watch.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Fairhaven often means contacting multiple places: the Police Department for items lost in town, the Animal Shelter for pets, transit services if you left it on a bus, or individual shops and venues where the loss occurred. Each has its own process, hours, and holding period, and you're responsible for following up with each one separately.
ReportLost simplifies that burden. A single report creates a coordinated alert across Fairhaven's main lost and found channels and keeps searching for a match across local groups and community posts for an entire year, while you move forward. Once filed, you're no longer doing the daily rounds.
Common loss locations in Fairhaven
Knowing where you lost something helps route your report to the right department.
Historic Old Town and downtown shops
High foot traffic around Center Street and nearby retail and dining makes this a common place to lose wallets, phones, and personal items.
Fairhaven waterfront and parks
Items are frequently left at benches, parking areas, and recreational spaces along the harbor and in town parks.
Town Hall and public buildings
Documents, glasses, and personal effects left during visits to government offices are typically turned in to the Town Clerk.
Bus stops and transit routes
Items left on regional buses or at transit centers are processed by the SRTA lost and found system.
Residential streets and neighborhoods
Lost pets and items left during daily errands are often reported through Animal Control or neighborhood social groups.
Community groups and social networks
Fairhaven residents share lost and found posts on local Facebook groups and community pages.
Facebook group and Animal Shelter page where residents post lost and found pets
Facebook group covering local events, news, and community items
Regional Facebook group that includes posts from Fairhaven area
Social channels where transit users report and claim bus-related items
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Fairhaven Police Department hold lost items?
The Police Department holds items for a reasonable period, typically 30 to 90 days depending on the nature of the item and department policy. Contact their non-emergency line at (508) 997-7421 to ask about your specific item's retention timeline.
Can I pick up my lost item from Town Hall if it's been found?
Yes. If your item is held at Town Hall, you can retrieve it in person during business hours (Monday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, closed other days, check with the Town Clerk's office). Bring identification if needed.
What should I do if I think I left something on the bus?
Call the SRTA Lost & Found at (508) 791-9782 and press option 5. They're available Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Have your bus route and approximate travel date ready.
How are lost pets handled in Fairhaven?
Lost dogs and cats are brought to the Fairhaven Animal Shelter at 200 Bridge Street or reported to the Animal Officer. Call (508) 979-4028. The shelter also posts photos on local Facebook groups to reunite pets with owners.
Does ReportLost.org contact these places on my behalf?
ReportLost files your report with departments that accept third-party filings. Where they don't, we provide you the exact office, link, and phone number to call yourself. Either way, your report stays active and searchable for 12 months.
Is ReportLost.org official or run by the Fairhaven Police Department?
No. ReportLost is an independent service that coordinates with official lost and found channels to help broaden your search and keep it active over time. It supplements, not replaces, direct reporting to police, town services, and other local agencies.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to file your report?
Describe your lost item, note where and when you lost it, and we'll route it to the right Fairhaven offices and keep it searchable for a full year.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Fairhaven Police Department, Town of Fairhaven, SRTA, Fairhaven Animal Shelter, Martha's Vineyard Airport, or any other entity listed. We coordinate with these services where possible but are not an official channel of any government or transit agency.