What to do if your pet gets lost:

Act Now!

This can be an heart-breaking event, but there is lots you can do.  Act quickly because the sooner you start looking the better your chances of success.

• Call each of the veterinary hospitals and animal shelters in your area to inform them that your pet is missing. Provide the with the tattoo and microchip numbers. Many hospitals and shelters have bulletin boards with "lost and found" ads that will post your pet's description and your contact information.  Provide a current photo if possible. 

• Go to the BC SPCA Lost and Found Pet web page.  From here you can search the SPCA's, post your pet's information into the data base and generate a poster with a photo of the missing pet.

• Contact the CVBC website to post a notice there.

• Place an ad in the newspaper immediately.

• Make up posters to put up around the neighborhood.  Make sure you place posters around local schools - kids are very good at spotting lost pets.

• A reward, no matter how small, is a good motivator for people to keep an eye out for your pet. 

• Tell your paper and mail carriers: they cover a lot of territory every day.

• Go door to door and ask your neighbors if they have seen your pet or will watch for him. You may find a lost or frightened animal only a few doors away who was too confused to find his way home.  People tend to respond better to personal contact than flyers or posters.

• Go down to the animal shelter every day to see for yourself whether your pet is there. Do not rely on shelter workers to identify your pet. Animals may not resemble their descriptions if they are wet, muddy and bedraggled.  In Abbotsford, besure to check Animal Control too!

• If your pet has a microchip, contact the microchip company and inform them. Also, take this opportunity to confirm they have updated contact information for you.

• If your pet has a tattoo make sure to contact the clinic that tattooed the pet to make sure all information is current and they are aware the pet is missing.

• Place a sign in your yard, stating that your pet is missing.

• Check the lost and found section of the newspaper everyday.

• If you have moved recently, check your old neighbourhood and neighbours.

• When you find your pet, remember to notify shelters, as they will continue to look for your pet.

• Be prepared to pay fees to reclaim your pet. Most shelters have boarding cost. There may also be charges for vaccines or medical needs. If you have proof of rabies vaccines and dog lisence bring those with you when you claim your pet.

  Never give up hope!

We have all heard stories of animals reunited with their owners months after their disappearance. (Dr. Taylor lost a dog for two whole months once, before a tattoo code got her safely home!)  When you do get your pet back, remember to call all the people that you notified and let them know!  Don't forget to get your friend in to visit their doctor too.  They may have picked up parasites or injuries that you might not notice right away!

For information of tattoo codes, please go to this page.

For tips on how to make sure your pet is well identified, in case he or she does roam, please go to this page.