Lost & Found Pets

I've lost a pet!    I've found a pet!

The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society wants to help you find your missing pet by providing you with helpful information and resources. Currently, there is no one place to post missing pet information so please be diligent and check out all the resources.

Stray dogs brought to the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society are held for a five day stray period. After that period, the dog is examined to determine if there are any health or behavioural concerns. If the dog is deemed healthy and behaviourally sound, it will be placed up for adoption.

Stray cats brought to the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society are held for a 72 hour stray period. Like dogs, the cats are examined, and if deemed healthy, will be placed up for adoption.

Help! I've lost a pet!

° Ask family, friends, and neighbours to help you search as soon as you realize your pet is missing. Be sure to check around your yard and under your deck. 

° For a lost indoor-only or timid cat, think like a cat and look at every hiding spot possible in your yard and your close neighbours. Lost cats will remain hidden and quiet, sometimes inside the house.

° Visit the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society as soon as possible to look through our stray animals and fill out a lost animal report. If you cannot visit, please phone us at 519-745-5615, however it is much more difficult to identify an animal over the phone than in person.

° Walk, bike, drive, or jog through your neighbourhood every day, and more than once, to find your missing pet.

° Place clothing, toys, litter box, and other items familiar to your pet outside in your yard where she/he might sense it.

° Put signs around the neighbourhood or area where your pet was last seen. Include photo and description of your pet, your phone number, and when your pet disappeared. Make sure you have voice mail to answer those calls.

° Call your veterinarian. Your pet's rabies tag number can be traced to your veterinarian.

° Ask your mail person, newspaper delivery person, and anyone who travels throughout your area regularly on business to look out for your pet.

° Place "Lost Pet" ads in your local newspapers. They show you're actively looking for your pet, in case someone else claims it.

I've found a pet! What should I do?

If you choose not to harbour the pet until its owner is found:

° Stray animals should be taken to the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society, as that is where owners will look first. If you cannot bring the animal in, an Animal Control officer can pick it up within city limits, except for cats found in the city of Waterloo. There is no cost to bring in a stray animal or have it picked up.

° If you have found a stray animal and our Centre is closed, there are pens provided at the back of the building for drop-offs. Please leave a note with the animal you are dropping off so we know where you found it.

If you choose to harbour the pet until its owner is found:

° Contact the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society at 519-745-5615. We are the first place pet owners turn when they have lost an animal. We can take a lost pet report from you over the phone, and offer you additional advice. You are legally responsible for an animal the moment you take it into your custody. Animals are considered property and ownership cannot be passed to you without the legal owner's consent.

° Place a "Found Pet" ad in newspapers. Look for postings in your area.

° Put up "Found Pet" signs.

° Check out missing pet reports and signs at veterinary clinics, public spaces, and your local police department.