A method and system for retrieving a lost animal and rewarding a location such as an animal shelter for successful retrieval of the lost animal is provided. An animal owner subscribes to the system, providing subscriber information and identifying data of his animal. The subscriber reports to a central database system that his animal is lost and is provided with a compiled database of locations where a lost animal may be located. Using the database, the subscriber transmits or delivers the subscriber information and the identifying data of the animal to the locations. Alternatively, the central database system transmits the identifying data and the subscriber information to the locations. A reward is provided to the location where the lost animal is retrieved.