Lost & Found Pets

If the cat is in immediate need of medical help please contact your nearest SPCA Shelter right away. Please make every effort to contact them via phone or email before visiting.  Some municipalities may assist so reach out to your local animal control as well. In the HRM local animal control may assist with cats with serious injuries, contact them at 311.

If you find a stray cat please take the following steps to attempt to identify if the cat has an owner.

Check with your neighbours. Most stray cats wander only about a 5 house radius so this step is the most important!
Take the pet to a shelter or veterinarian to scan for a microchip. This is often a no charge service, make sure you call ahead.
Contact your local shelter as we may have a coinciding report from an owner who is missing the pet and we can help you get the animal back to its’ owner.
Post an ad on Kijiji.
Post on lost pet Facebook pages. There are many sites dedicated to reuniting lost cats with their owners.
Create a poster and place at common areas in your neighbourhood.
Contact local veterinarians as they may have received a corresponding lost report.

Shelter and Foster locations take in cats by appointment only.  Appointments are arranged based on the cats needs and other cats needing assistance at that time.  You must call ahead to confirm the shelter or foster location will be able to accept a cat and to set up an appointment. We do want to help, so please contact us when you find a stray cat.

Depending on the space and time of year we may be able to help immediately or we may ask you to keep an eye on the kitty until we are able to help. In the mean time we may be able to give you some further suggestions. We always make space to help pregnant strays, kittens or injured animals immediately.

Is your cat missing? Here are some steps to follow to help you find your furry friend.

Remember, pets can be very resourceful, don’t stop looking! We have all heard stories of pets being found long after their disappearance. If your pet is frightened, they may find a safe place to hide and stay there for a few days.

Concerned citizens may also pick up pets and assume that they are strays rather than lost pets. Make sure you are not only posting “lost pet” flyers, but also checking any “found” or “for adoption” flyers you come across.

• Contact your local animal control.  Loose/roaming dogs are covered under your local municipal by-laws so they will have someone to pick up the dog.
• If you choose to attempt to locate the owner yourself please do still advise your local animal control office as the owner may be calling them to report their dog as missing.
• Contact the Lost Dog Network. They can also help you complete the following steps and will help you ensure everyone necessary has been contacted.
• Check with your neighbours.
• Take the pet to a shelter or veterinarian to scan for a microchip. This is often a no charge service, make sure you call ahead !
• Contact your local shelters, as we may have a coinciding report from an owner who is missing the pet and we can help you get the animal back to its’ owner.
• Post an ad on kijiji
• Create a poster and place at common areas in your neighbourhood.
• Contact local veterinarians as they may have received a corresponding lost report.

• Contact your local animal control office immediately. The SPCA does provide animal control services in some areas only. In HRM contact the Halifax municipality at 311. Note, if your dog is found by animal control there will be fees to reclaim your pet. Check with your local animal control office for specific information.
• File a lost report with your local SPCA 
• Contact the Lost Dog Network. They can also help you complete the following steps and will help you ensure everyone necessary has been contacted.
• Create missing flyers that include the following information: animal’s name, breed, male or female, spayed or neutered, declawed, coat colour, coat length, eye colour, any distinguishing marks, if it was wearing a collar, collar colour, your name, phone number, where the animal was last seen, when it went missing, and a recent picture of the animal.
• Check around your property, neighbors properties and any place the animal was familiar with. Ask neighbours to look under steps, sheds, decks, garages, etc. If there is any new construction in the area, check  with contractors. Animals can get lost within a block of their homes so  don’t limit your search to the immediate area.
• Knock on doors and if no response leave flyers in mailboxes. A neighbour may have seen your animal, assumed it was a stray, and taken it in, not knowing its home was just around the corner
• If your pet is microchipped contact the microchip provider to ensure your contact information is up to date.
• Contact all local veterinarians.
• Create an ad on kijiji (ensure you add a picture to your ad)
• Look after dark  with a flashlight when things have quieted down.