Help a Lost Pet Return Home
Help a Stray Dog
To report a stray dog at large or stray dog that you have found, please contact the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1.
I Found a Lost/Stray Cat. What Should I Do?
In Ottawa, there are no laws preventing cats from roaming outdoors. A safe, healthy cat likely has a home and will return on their own. If you are concerned the cat may be homeless, check out the tips below for helping stray cats return home.
If you find a cat who is injured or in-distress, please contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 223 to make arrangements to bring the cat to the shelter.
I Found Kittens, What should I do?
Worried about the kittens’ health? If the kittens or their mom are sick, injured, cold to the touch, or showing other signs of distress like crying noisily and continuously or are very wet or dirty, call the Ottawa Humane Society right away for support. For after-hours support, call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1.
Worried about the kittens’ location? If the kittens are in a dangerous location, move them somewhere safe nearby, place them in a shallow box and monitor to make sure the mom finds them. If mom doesn’t return after a few hours, call the OHS at 613-725-3166 ext. 223.
Mom and Kittens
Leave the kittens with their mom.
The mother is the best possible caregiver and these kittens don’t need our intervention. You can support the litter by making a few essentials like shelter, food and water available.
For more information on how to help community cats and socialize outdoor kittens, contact our Feline Services team at ext. 287.
Kittens Only
Take time to watch for their mom.
Do not assume that the mother cat is not providing care. She is likely out looking for food or may be hiding from you. Watch for a few hours from a hidden spot to see if she returns.
If mom does not return, these kittens need your help. Call the OHS at ext. 223 or for after-hours support, call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1.
Kittens Older Than 8 Weeks
Kittens of this age are weaned from their mother and are ready to start a life of their own. They need to have lots of positive experiences with people and receive medical care like vaccines and neuter as soon as possible.
To arrange an intake to the OHS, call 613-725-3166 ext. 223 or for after-hours support, call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1.
Need help figuring out the kittens' age? Contact our Feline Services team at 613-725-3166 ext. 287.
Five Steps to Help a Stray Cat Get Home
1. Does the cat have identification?
Collar and/or ID tag: A collar or tag may have the cat’s home number or address. If the cat has a municipal tag, call the City at 311, and they can help track down where the animal lives. Microchips: Microchips are a permanent form of electronic ID inserted under the animal’s skin. If you do not see a visible form of ID, the animal may have a microchip. You can take the pet to your nearest veterinary clinic or the OHS to have him scanned for a microchip at no charge. If possible, please call ahead to make an appointment before bringing the cat to the OHS so we are able to help you as fast as possible!
2. Try a paper collar!
Give the cat a paper collar: A paper collar is a great way to determine if a cat in your neighbourhood is a stray, or if she has a home. Just add your name and phone number to this printable OHS paper collar then, attach it to the cat and let her back out in the neighbourhood.
3. Go online!
Post to social media: Take a good photo of the cat and circulate it on your Facebook or Twitter networks with the location in which he was found. Encourage your friends to share the photo on their page. Post and search online: There are websites dedicated to helping lost animals return to their owners. On each of these websites, you can also publish a “found pet” post:
- Ottawa Humane Society
- Ottawa and Valley Lost Pet Network
- Kijiji (search lost animal posts and create a “found pet” post)
4. Search the neighbourhood
Talk to people in the neighbourhood: Neighbours in the area, especially other pet owners, may know the cat you found. Knock on doors around where you found him to ask if they know whose cat it is. Put up posters: Create a poster on your own, or use the OHS template to make one easily. Include a photo, description of the animal and where it was found, and a contact phone number or email. Post these in as many places as possible near where the animal was found (telephone poles, local park, grocery stores, closest vet clinic).
5. Contact us!
If you’re unable to hold on to the cat and believe it is truly lost, find out how to admit the cat to the OHS.