How do I report a sighting?

Reporting a Sighting

If you think you have seen a lost item or pet that someone in your community is looking for, you can report a sighting to let them know.

Step by Step

1. Find the alert: Browse your community's alerts or follow a shared alert link
2. Tap "Report a Sighting": Available on every active alert page
3. When did you see it? Choose the approximate date and time
4. Where did you see it? Tap the interactive map to pin the location, or use your current position
5. Add details: Describe what you saw — colour, condition, exact spot
6. Upload a photo (optional): A photo can help the owner confirm the sighting
7. Choose your contact preference: Decide if and how the owner can reach you
8. Submit: The alert owner will be notified immediately

Contact Preferences

When reporting a sighting, you choose how the alert owner can contact you:

• Yes, the owner can message me: The owner can send you a direct message through itemID
• Yes, but keep my identity hidden: The owner can send you a message, but your name stays anonymous
• No, don't contact me: Your report helps the owner, but they cannot message you

Guest Reporting

You do not need an itemID account to report a sighting. Guests can submit reports by providing an email address. This makes it easy for anyone who spots a lost item to help out.

Sighting Map & Trail

All sightings with location data are shown on an interactive map on the alert detail page. When there are multiple sightings, a trail line connects them in chronological order — this helps the owner track movement patterns and predict where the item or pet might be heading.

Tips

• Be as specific as possible about the location and time
• A photo is worth a thousand words — snap a picture if you can
• If you are unsure, report it anyway — the owner can decide if it matches
• Sighting locations appear on the map — the more sightings, the clearer the trail becomes