Lost something in Charlottesville? Report it and we'll track it down.
One report reaches the Charlottesville Police Department, UVA Police (if applicable), CAT transit, Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, and active local community channels. We then monitor the web continuously for matches across social media, marketplaces, and local networks so you don't have to.
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
You file your report
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details needed to alert the right authorities and services across Charlottesville.
We route it everywhere that matters
Your report goes to Charlottesville Police, UVA Police (if on campus), the CAT transit system, Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, and local community groups all at once, so you only report once.
Automated monitoring finds matches for you
We scan Facebook groups, Nextdoor, Reddit's r/Charlottesville, Craigslist, marketplace apps, and other public channels for 12 months. The moment a credible match appears, we alert you. No daily checking required.
Where Things Go When They're Lost in Charlottesville
Here's what happens in each channel, and how ReportLost connects them for you.
Charlottesville Police Department
The police log lost property reports and hold items in their evidence facility. You can report directly via their non-emergency line or online portal. ReportLost generates the exact information required and identifies which precinct covers your loss location, so your report reaches the right desk immediately.
Report online (non-emergency incidents)|Non-emergency line: (434) 977-9041
UVA Police Division (if lost on campus)
If your loss occurred on University of Virginia grounds, UVA Police maintains their own lost and found system. They accept reports directly and coordinate with campus facilities. ReportLost ensures UVA Police receives your report if the location warrants it.
Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT)
Items left on CAT buses or at the Downtown Transit Station are held for a set period. Call the Downtown Transit Station's customer service line and mention your route and seat location. ReportLost alerts CAT on your behalf and tells you exactly what information to provide when you follow up.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO)
The airport's Lost and Found office uses an online search system called Crowdfind. Items are held during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM). ReportLost gets your report to CHO's administration so they can flag your item if it turns up.
Lost or found a pet?
If you've lost a pet in Charlottesville or Albemarle County, the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA accepts reports and holds stray animals. The community also actively shares lost pet alerts on Facebook and Nextdoor. ReportLost can help you coordinate across all channels, and for lost pets specifically, you can file a priority lost pet report to activate our specialized pet-finding network.
City of Charlottesville (General Lost Property)
The City's general lost property reporting and customer service can be reached through the main contact line. ReportLost ensures your report is filed correctly and reaches the appropriate city department.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to activate your search?
The sooner you report, the sooner we can monitor every channel that might have your item. A few minutes now saves you weeks of searching.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Charlottesville can feel overwhelming. Your item might end up with the police, left behind at a bus stop, turned in at the airport, picked up by a neighbor posting on Nextdoor, or listed on a marketplace. Each channel operates separately, and manually checking them all every day is exhausting and easy to miss.
ReportLost simplifies the entire process. File once, and we notify every relevant service, shelter, and community network in the Charlottesville area. Then our automated system monitors the web continuously for any sign of your lost item, so you can stop searching and get back to your day.
Common places to lose things in Charlottesville
Lost items often turn up at these hubs; ReportLost alerts all of them.
Downtown and Main Street
The historic heart of Charlottesville. Items left in shops, restaurants, and on the street are often turned in to nearby businesses or police.
University of Virginia Campus
The sprawling UVA grounds see frequent losses in libraries, dorms, dining halls, and outdoor spaces. UVA Police and campus lost-and-found systems handle these cases.
CAT Bus Routes and Transit Stations
Items left on fare-free transit buses are logged at the Downtown Transit Station. Reporting quickly improves recovery chances.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO)
Security lines, gates, and baggage areas. The airport's Lost and Found office is staffed during business hours and searchable online.
Shopping and Entertainment Districts
Malls, restaurants, and leisure venues throughout Charlottesville. Many retain lost items in-house before turning them over to police or a community forum.
Community channels where lost items are often spotted
ReportLost monitors these channels automatically so you don't have to.
Active Facebook group for personal belongings and general items lost across the city and campus.
Dedicated Facebook community for lost and found pets, with rapid response from local animal advocates.
Reddit community where locals post lost items and coordinate recovery efforts.
Neighborhood-level social network where neighbors often report found items and lost pet sightings.
Various hyperlocal and UVA-affiliated groups frequently host lost and found posts.
Frequently asked questions about lost items in Charlottesville
How long do Charlottesville Police hold lost items?
The police department's holding period and policies can vary. Check with the non-emergency line at (434) 977-9041 or visit charlottesville.gov for current procedures. ReportLost ensures your report is filed and followed up on consistently.
How long does CAT keep items left on buses?
CAT holds recovered items at the Downtown Transit Station for a set period. Call (434) 970-3649 (option 3) to check the holding timeline and confirm your item's status. The sooner you report, the sooner they can flag your item.
What if I lost something at Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport?
Contact CHO's Lost and Found at (434) 973-8342 or search their online Crowdfind system at gocho.com. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed holidays). ReportLost alerts the airport and monitors for matches.
Is UVA Police different from Charlottesville Police?
Yes. UVA Police handles incidents on university property and maintains a separate lost and found. If you lost something on campus (dorms, libraries, academic buildings), UVA Police at (434) 924-7166 is the primary contact. ReportLost routes to both when appropriate.
Can I search for my lost pet online?
Yes. The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA lists lost and found animals on their website and Facebook. You can also post to the Lost & Found Pets: Charlottesville group. For the most comprehensive search and monitoring, consider filing a priority lost pet report with ReportLost.
Is ReportLost.org officially affiliated with the Charlottesville Police Department?
ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside official channels. We're not part of the police department or city government, but we partner with local systems to route your report accurately and monitor public channels continuously for matches. You always have the option to file directly with police or any service, and we help ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search today
The moment you report with ReportLost, we begin notifying authorities and monitoring every public channel in Charlottesville. You'll rest easier knowing a systematic search is underway.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Charlottesville Police Department, City of Charlottesville, University of Virginia Police, Charlottesville Area Transit, Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, or any other official agency or business mentioned. We provide guidance on where to report and monitor public channels; official reporting to police and local services remains your responsibility. Always call 911 for emergencies.