Lost something in Madison? We'll help you search everywhere at once.
Submit one report and we notify the Madison Police Department, the Dane County Sheriff, Metro Transit, and relevant local channels. Then our system continuously monitors the web, social networks, and community boards across Madison so you don't have to.
🔍Recently reported lost items in Madison – updated this July 19, 2026
- 📍 Shopping bag lost near Quarry Park, July 14.
- 📍 Small shoulder bag lost near Constellation Bridge Park, July 15.
- 📍 Eyeglasses lost near Cherokee Park, July 13.
How it works
You report the loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details needed for official channels and community alerts.
We route it to the right places
Your report reaches the Madison Police Department lost property office, Dane County Sheriff, Metro Transit if applicable, and goes live on local community boards and social networks.
Automated monitoring finds matches
For 6 to 12 months, we scan Facebook groups, Reddit, Nextdoor, local marketplaces, and police databases continuously. The moment a credible match appears, you get an alert—no need to check back every day.
Where to report in Madison
Official channels you can contact directly, or let us handle the coordination
Madison Police Department Lost Property
The city's main lost and found office processes items turned in to officers and holds property. You can file a report yourself or contact them to check if your item has been recovered.
Dane County Sheriff Found Property
If your item was lost in an unincorporated area of Dane County or you need to file a report with the sheriff's office, they maintain a separate found property log. We can direct your report to the right precinct based on loss location.
Metro Transit Lost & Found
Left something on a Madison bus? Metro collects items from all routes and holds them. Call or email with a description and the bus route or stop where you lost it, and they'll search their lost and found. We'll ensure they're notified as part of your report.
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) Lost & Found
If you lost an item at Dane County Regional Airport (Madison's airport), the airport lost and found holds items for up to 30 days. Call to describe your item and check if it's been turned in.
Lost Pet
A lost cat, dog, or other pet needs urgent help. Contact the Dane County Humane Society immediately, and post alerts to local pet networks. We also maintain a dedicated process for lost pets with continuous monitoring of pet databases and community pet groups. File a priority lost pet report.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated info on this page? Let us know, we fix it fast.
Getting ahead of the search
The sooner you file, the faster we can notify the right places and begin monitoring. Once your report is in, the system works for you around the clock, checking feeds, classifieds, and community posts. You can step back and let us handle the legwork.
Report my lost item →Madison spreads across lakes and neighborhoods, from the UW campus to the Capitol Square, and items go missing everywhere: on buses, at the airport, in libraries, on the Isthmus. The challenge is that each place—the police, transit, the airport, the sheriff—keeps its own lost and found, and there's no single place to check them all at once. Posting on Facebook, calling around, refreshing Craigslist daily: it takes hours and you still might miss something someone found and posted on a group you don't follow.
ReportLost changes that. File once, and we do the routing, the public alerts, and the continuous web surveillance. Our system sweeps through Madison's lost and found networks, social channels, and online marketplaces on a schedule while you get on with your day. The longer an item is lost, the more likely it surfaces somewhere—online, in a found pile, or in someone's post. We keep watch so you can breathe easy.
Common places to lose items in Madison
Busy areas, transit hubs, and neighborhoods where items frequently turn up
Downtown & Capitol Square
The heart of Madison sees heavy foot traffic, shopping, and events. Items lost here often end up with local shops, the police station, or posted on community boards.
University of Wisconsin Campus
The sprawling campus has its own police department and lost and found system. Items lost in dorms, libraries, or lecture halls may also be reported to the city police.
East Washington Avenue & Metro Corridor
Madison's main transit corridor runs through this area. Bus riders frequently lose items on routes, and Metro's lost and found office is located here.
Isthmus & Lake Districts
Popular parks, beaches, and recreational areas around lakes Mendota and Monona are where personal items like phones, keys, and bags often surface in the lost and found.
Dane County Regional Airport
International Lane hosts the airport terminal, rental car offices, and ground transport. Items left at TSA checkpoints, gates, or baggage areas are typically held by airport lost and found.
Community alerts & local networks
Madison's active online communities where found items are often posted
Facebook group for lost and found items and pets across the area
Dedicated Facebook group for lost and found pets in Dane County
Madison subreddit where residents post lost items and pets
Facebook page sharing pet alerts for the Madison area
Neighborhood app where neighbors report lost and found items locally
Common questions about lost items in Madison
How long do police and transit hold lost items?
Madison Police generally hold items for 30 to 90 days before disposal. Metro Transit holds items for a similar period. The airport typically holds items for 30 days. Check with each office as soon as possible, and provide a detailed description of your item to speed up the search.
Do I need to file a police report to search the lost and found?
No. You can call the Madison Police lost property office or Metro Transit directly to describe your item and ask if it's been turned in. Filing an official report (online or by phone) creates a record and helps if your item turns up later. ReportLost can file for you and notify all relevant offices.
What if I lost something on a UW bus or on campus?
UW-Madison has its own police department and lost and found system separate from the city. Call UW Police at 608-264-2677 or visit their contact page. Items lost on Metro buses that serve campus should still be reported to Metro Transit. We'll route your report to both if applicable.
How do I search social media and Craigslist without posting everywhere?
You can search Facebook groups and Nextdoor yourself, but it takes time and you might miss a post. ReportLost automates this—we post an alert to local channels and monitor all public postings, marketplaces, and community boards continuously for 6 to 12 months so you don't have to refresh every day.
What if no one has found my item yet?
Items sometimes surface weeks or months later, especially if they were turned in to a business or posted on social media by someone who found them. ReportLost's extended monitoring period (6 to 12 months) keeps your item in the search loop. We'll alert you the moment a credible match appears online.
Is ReportLost.org official, or does it replace the police?
ReportLost is an independent service, not part of the Madison Police Department or any government agency. We work alongside official channels—filing reports, posting public alerts, and monitoring networks so you don't have to. We do not replace police reports; if you need an official record, you can file directly with Madison PD or use our service to coordinate both. We're here to help you maximize your chances by covering all channels at once.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to launch your search?
File your report now and let our team handle the notifications and monitoring. The sooner you act, the sooner we can alert the right offices and begin scanning the web for matches.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the Madison Police Department, Dane County Sheriff's Office, Metro Transit, Dane County Regional Airport, University of Wisconsin–Madison Police, Dane County Humane Society, or any other official agency or business mentioned. We coordinate reporting and monitor public channels on your behalf, but you retain the right to file directly with any official office or authority. Always verify current hours, contact information, and policies with the official sources listed.