How To Find Your Lost Pet

Tips to Find Your Pet

An appointment is required to bring in a found animal or to claim a lost pet. If you have found an animal, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to schedule an appointment.

If the animal is in distress, call 311 immediately.

To claim a lost pet, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to make an appointment.

If you have lost an animal, please fill in our Lost Animal Report or send us an email. The OHS receives thousands of lost animals every year. Submitting a complete lost report will help us to quickly identify some animals.

If you think your lost pet is at the OHS, please call us.

Dogs

While lost cats hide, lost dogs ROAM! How far your dog will travel depends on a few things. Find tips on how to find your dog.

Cats

Kitty strayed? physical search for your cat increases the likelihood that you will find her. Find tips on how to find your lost cat.

What to do next

Immediate steps to take if your cat has just gotten lost:

  • Right away, physically search the immediate area.
  • If your cat is an indoor-only cat, and you aren’t sure he has gotten out of the house, search EVERYWHERE in the house first. You may want to set a live trap in the house with a tasty treat in it — making sure you’re checking it every few hours.
  • Look outside in hiding spaces, like sheds, and under porches and bushes: most cats will be found hiding, not wandering down the street. They will not come when you call them and may be startled by loud noises. Use a flashlight for darker spaces, and be quiet and move slowly as you search to avoid startling the cat. If you do see her, approach slowly. Use treats to lure her, or cover her with a towel to contain her. Talk to your neighbours: knock on doors, ask them to keep an eye out and to check their garages and sheds, and ask if you can look in their backyard.

If you haven’t found your cat right away, or she has already been missing for a while, take aggressive actions immediately: conduct an extensive search, and let everyone know she’s missing. Find more tips for finding your lost cat.

 

Immediate steps to take if your dog has just gotten lost:

  • Think about why your dog ran: was it away from something, or towards? This may help you to figure out where to start searching.
  • Physically search the immediate area and call your dog loudly.
  • If there are sounds or words your dog reacts to, use them! Sound excited and happy when you’re calling him…he may not come if you sound angry, harsh or panicked.
  • Go to areas you know your dog likes and is familiar with…is there a spot he likes to stop to smell other dogs’ markings? A dog park close by? A walk route you usually take?
  • If it’s hot out, dogs usually stay along tree lines and in the shade.

If you haven’t found your dog right away, or he has already been missing for a while, take aggressive actions immediately: conduct an extensive search, and let everyone know he’s missing. Find more tips for finding your lost dog.

Helpful hints

  • Be specific when describing your lost pet.
    Examples: A large six-year-old domestic short-haired cat, all black with white paws. Neutered and declawed. Friendly with people. Answers to the name Newton. A three-year-old medium size dog, 25-30lbs, black and tan, shepherd mix. Female, spayed. A little timid. Answers to the name Shadow.
  • Provide a photo.
  • Ask for help and don’t forget to file a lost report!

Give Your Pets the Best Chance of Returning Home

Remember, microchipping your pet gives her the best chance of being returned to you if ever lost.

Upcoming Microchip Clinics