- Submit an online Lost Report to the Ottawa Humane Society, or email us. Check in with the shelter regularly.
- Submit a Lost Report with other online groups, including Ottawa and Valley Lost Pet Network and Kijiji.
- Advertise your lost pet through social media.
- Create a lost pet poster, and post it everywhere on streets around where your cat went missing. Put it in mailboxes and post it at local businesses and veterinary offices. If you're able, include a reward as it encourages people to look for your pet.
- Put a “Lost Pet” sign on your lawn, with a very brief description.
- Report your lost pet to your microchip company.
- Report your lost pet to your veterinarian.
Find Your Lost Pet
Tips to Find Your Pet
To claim a lost pet, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to make an appointment or visit the Municipal Animal Shelter during our hours of operation.
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 may help us to quickly identify your pet.
If you think your lost pet is at the OHS, please call us at 613-725-3166 ext. 223 or visit the Municipal Animal Shelter during our hours of operation.
Find Your Lost Cat
If your cat just got lost, they may be close to home. Cats usually hide when they are lost. They like to stay in the area they’re most familiar with. A recent study showed that 75% of cats were found within a 500 metre radius of where they got lost! This is especially true of cats that don’t normally go outside, as they’re more likely to be terrified by being outside to begin with.
To claim a lost pet, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to make an appointment or visit the Municipal Animal Shelter during our hours of operation.
If you have found a pet who you believe is lost, check out resources to help them return home.
An appointment is recommended but not required to bring in a found animal. If you have found an animal, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to schedule an appointment.
First Steps When Your Cat Goes Missing
Search Close to Your Home
If you're not sure that your cat 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 and check the trap every few hours.
If they are not in the house, look in nearby hiding places outside like sheds, under porches and bushes: most cats will be found hiding, not wandering down the street.
Stay Quiet and Bring a Towel, Flashlight and Treats
Your cat will probably not come when you call them and may be startled by loud noises. Use a flashlight to search dark spaces, and be quiet and move slowly as you search to avoid startling your cat. If you do see them, approach slowly. Use treats to lure them, and be ready to cover them with a towel to stop them from escaping.
Talk to Your Neighbours
Knock on doors, ask your neighbours to let you know if they see your cat, and ask if you can check their garage, shed or backyard.
What to do if You Don't Find Your Cat Nearby
Share that your cat is missing
Extensively Search the Area Where Your Pet Went Missing
- Search at dusk and dawn, when most pets are likely to be found.
- If you can, search with a friend — if you find your pet, they may be easier to catch with someone else there.
- Bring tools with you: flashlight to check in dark spaces, a carrier or crate in case you find them, a towel to contain a cat if they are scared, some food or their favourite treats to lure them.
- If someone has seen your cat, you may need to set a live trap. Even some of the friendliest indoor cats may be aggressive when lost and afraid. This may mean your cat won’t respond to you. They could even shut down and starve themselves. Never leave a live trap set unless you can check it at least every few hours.
- Carry a cell phone so that you can show his picture to anyone you see, and to stay in contact with others or to call someone for help if you need to.
- The OHS holds stray animals on behalf of the City of Ottawa for three full days (not including day of entry).
- We will guide you through the process of searching for your pet.
- Call and visit often! Just because you lost your pet yesterday, they may not arrive at the shelter for several days, weeks or months! Don’t stop looking.
Be Specific When Describing Your Pet
Example: 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 picture will help other people identify your lost pet.
What to do When Your Dog Runs Away
Dogs that run away, usually escape for one of three reasons: they’re following an alluring scent, they were escaping in panic, often as a result of a terrifying sound, or a gate that was supposed to be closed was left open. While lost cats hide, lost dogs roam. How far your dog will travel depends on a few things.
An appointment is recommended but not required to bring in a found animal. If you have found an animal, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to schedule an appointment.
To claim a lost pet, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to make an appointment or visit the Municipal Animal Shelter during our hours of operation.
First Steps When Your Dog Goes Missing
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.
- 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, they 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 they like 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.
- Read How to Secure a Frightened Dog.
If you haven’t found your dog right away, or they have been missing for a while, take action immediately: conduct an extensive search, and let everyone know he’s missing.
How Far Will Your Dog Roam?
Rural or Urban?
Dogs in residential areas typically travel less distance than in rural areas, because of obstacles such as fences.
Your Dog's Look
A smaller or friendly looking dog is more likely to be contained than an aggressive or larger one. Dogs who look pure-bred may also be picked up more quickly.
Busyness of the Neighbourhood
Dogs will likely travel farther if there are fewer people around. That's also fewer people who might try to contain your dog.
What to do if You Don't Find Your Dog Nearby
Share that your dog is missing
- Submit an online Lost Report to the Ottawa Humane Society, or email us. Check in with the shelter regularly.
- Submit a Lost Report with other online groups, including Ottawa and Valley Lost Pet Network and Kijiji.
- Advertise your lost pet through social media.
- Create a lost pet poster, and post it everywhere on streets around where your cat went missing. Put it in mailboxes and post it at local businesses and veterinary offices. If you're able, include a reward as it encourages people to look for your pet.
- Put a “Lost Pet” sign on your lawn, with a very brief description.
- Put up a large neon sign at major intersections — use very few, very large words so people can see your message quickly: LOST DOG/CAT, breed, colour, and your phone number.
- Report your lost pet to your microchip company.
- Report your lost pet to your veterinarian.
Extensively Search the Area Where Your Pet Went Missing
- Search at dusk and dawn, when most pets are likely to be found.
- If you can, search with a friend — if you find your pet, they may be easier to catch with someone else there.
- Map routes to search, following your dog’s familiar patterns, starting at the last spot you saw him and working off leads and sightings from others.
- Carry a cell phone so that you can show your pet's picture to anyone you see, and to stay in contact with others or to call someone for help if you need to.
- The OHS holds stray animals on behalf of the City of Ottawa for three full days (not including day of entry).
- We will guide you through the process of searching for your pet.
- Call and visit often! Just because you lost your pet yesterday, they may not arrive at the shelter for several days, weeks or months! Don’t stop looking.
Be Specific When Describing Your Pet
Example: A three-year-old medium size dog, 25-30lbs, black and tan, shepherd mix. Female, spayed. A little timid. Answers to the name Shadow.
A picture will help other people identify your lost pet.
How to Secure a Frightened Dog
When a dog is frightened, his behaviour may change completely. His instinct is often to flee, and he often will not trust those trying to bring him to safety. This mindset may be so strong that he will even run from his owner in fear. Watch the video and follow the tips below to help recover your lost dog:
1. DO NOT call the dog’s name whistle, clap, pat your leg, etc.
The dog WILL run away, as this is predatory behaviour that will further scare him.
2. GET DOWN on the ground.
Sit, crouch or lie down.
3. DO NOT make eye contact.
Turn away, bow your head. This is the least threatening position to be in.
4. STAY QUIET.
Don’t speak to the dog, even as he approaches you. This is critical in building trust.
5. Gently crinkle a plastic food wrapper, and act like you are eating.
Drop food on the ground near you.
6. BE STILL as the dog approaches and starts to eat the food you dropped.
Keep dropping food closer to you.
7. BE PATIENT.
This can take a long time. Don’t reach out to pet the dog. If the dog is still very skittish, reaching out will likely make them flee. If they seem calm, VERY SLOWLY try feeding them by hand.
8. MAKE CONTACT when he appears ready to be touched, by gently reaching out under his chin.
A hand coming from above may frighten him. If he accepts the touch, keep feeding him, keep quiet and keep petting him. If he shies away, go back to simply feeding him until he appears to trust you.
9. LEASH the dog.
If the dog has a collar, try slipping a leash through it. The collar may come off if the dog pulls back in alarm. A slip leash is more effective in preventing the dog from escaping. Let him sniff the leash, and be patient. When you sense he will accept it, try petting him, offer more treats, and slowly slip the leash over his head.
10. STAY CALM after the leash is on the dog.
Don’t get excited, as this will scare them. Stay sitting, keep feeding and petting. Talk quietly and reassuringly. Once they are calm, slowly stand, staying in a non-threatening demeanour, and continue to give them treats as you slowly walk away with them.