If your pet is missing there are things you can do and we have compiled a list and additional resources to help you in your search.
Just looking for who to reach out to about your lost pet? Check out our resource page here.
What we will cover here and quick links to get to the section you need:
What to do if your pet goes missing
Not sure where to start? Check out our resource page for a list of places to call for help and where to post online. Our lost or found pets page: https://www.furryornotpetcare.ca/petresourcesinabbotsfordandmission/lostorfoundpets
What to do if your pet goes missing
Cats
Cats will often hide and may not come when called. You may need to look under the stairs or under a deck, in sheds or garages, check in small nooks and crannies and ask your neighbours to check their yards, garages, and sheds. For dark areas (under decks, steps, etc.), use a flashlight to see if you can spot their eyes reflecting light back.
It may take some time to find them so keep checking these areas regularly because cats will move around and as long as they are not stuck somewhere they may return to an area you have already checked.
Storytime examples with Jen
Way back in the day, Ziggy escaped out of a broken screen and I could not find him. I looked around the house and yard and eventually spotted him tucked away underneath the landing at the top of the wooden staircase. He would not come out when I called him. I brought out some treats, sat there, and talked to him until he felt safe enough to come out on his own. It took maybe 10 minutes but it felt so much longer because I was worried he would take off. He was just too scared, which I think is a typical behaviour of indoor cats.
When I was a young kid our cat Sissy went missing. She was an indoor/outdoor cat but it was wintertime and very cold so I was scared and upset. She was gone for days. But, with the help of our neighbours, her footprints were spotted in the snow and it turned out she had been hiding in a crack under the neighbours' cement staircase. We were so lucky that she was still okay and made it home safely.
Dogs
If a dog has been spooked and is running they can cover great distances, so it is important to extend your search in that case. Ask your friends and family or people walking in the area for assistance with the search. Don't yell out if you think your pet may be scared and hiding. It may be better to do a thorough visual search and avoid scaring them with loud noises. And, if your dog has a dog friend bring them along as it could help calm your dog down or encourage them to come out of hiding if they see and smell their friend.
If possible, bring some delicious treats they love to help lure them.
Don't give up too quickly, stay out as long as you can. You have to be thorough and search as far as you can manage because it is possible that your dog may be nearby but just is not visible or too scared to come or injured and unable to move. If they have a leash attached it can get caught on something and prevent them from moving. That can also happen with the collar.
Storytime examples with Jen
Way way back in the day, my friend's dog escaped the yard after digging under the fence. We could not find Buddy anywhere and he did not come back on his own. But, about a week later after yet another walk around the neighbourhood we spotted him in someone's yard. The neighbour down the road found him and took him in and was also hoping to find the owner. But it was that chance of spotting Buddy outside at that moment that made all the difference. What if we had not made that one last search?
Birds
A thorough ground search may mean a thorough tree search. The bird will likely find a place to perch nearby so it will be important to walk around and look up into the trees and in gardens and through shrubs to try to spot them. If your bird is stick trained bring that with you to help lure them and have a way to transport them home safely.
#2. Reach out to your neighbours
It is important to ask your immediate neighbours to keep an eye out and if possible allow you to search their yard, garage or shed with them just in case the pet ran in there and cannot get out (especially for lost cats!!!). Even after you put up posters do not assume your neighbours will see it and know it is your pet so it is best to talk to them or at least leave a poster at their door with a note asking for their help.
#3. Put up posters
Put them on posts, mailboxes, and give them directly to your neighbours, the local vet offices, pet stores, and rescues (you can send them via email too). I would suggest coffee shops if they have a community board. And, you can ask other stores in the area if they would be willing. The more chances of people seeing the poster the better.
Particularly if you have lost your dog or if a lot of time passes without finding your pet it can be helpful to extend the range where you put the posters up. Dogs can run fast and travel far and a cat may wander much farther than you expect. Try adjacent neighbourhoods, across town, or even farther.
The more detail on the poster the better. Be sure to include:
A good recent photo
The last date they were seen
The closest cross streets or neighbourhood where they were last seen
A brief description, listing any unique markings, size, and age
Whether they had a collar, ID tags, tattoo, and/or microchip
How to get in touch with you
And, adding a reward can be very helpful in getting tips!
#4. Ensure your pet's ID and information is up to date.
Microchip
Check that your pet's microchip account is activated and your contact info is up to date on that site.
Tattoos and your Veterinarian
Ensure your Vet has their tattoo ID and microchip and your updated contact info as well as your missing pet poster.
BC SPCA Pet Registry
If you have not already done so register your pet on the BC SPCA Pet Registry. This has a small fee but will be your best bet for being reunited with your lost pet if they are found and taken in by the SPCA.
Social Media
Ask the community for help
If you are not able to locate your pet in the immediate area it is time to reach out to the rest of the community. The easiest way to do this is through social media.
Lost or found pet Facebook groups
For a full list of local Facebook groups for Abbotsford, Mission, and the Fraser Valley to post on check out our resource page here.
Tips for posting about lost or found pets
If you are posting online, it is helpful to include the following:
indicate that your pet is ‘Lost’ or 'Missing' (vs. a 'sighting' or 'found' pet)
a colour photo
the city (this is critical due to the reach online)
exact location and/or closest cross streets
the last date they were seen
brief explanation of the situation (such as if they are new to the area, usually an indoor cat, took off at a park, etc.)
describe what they look like including their size, breed or mix, age, and any unique markings
if possible, include a few recent photos that can show their size and those unique markings, so people have a better chance of identification
indicate if they have a collar, tattoo, or microchip or some other identification
how to reach you
I would recommend posting in multiple groups because you will get maximum eyeballs on the post that way. And, that will mean more help and more shares, and that will all hopefully lead to a safe and happy resolution. Just copy and paste the text to save yourself time.
Other places to post
Don’t stop there! There are other places you can post or check:
Nextdoor app
Other Facebook community groups or lost & found groups specifically for your city or neighbourhood
Craigslist and Kijiji
For pet birds https://greyhavenbirds.com/contact-us/
Updates
If the pet is reunited or found please update your original post whenever possible or add a comment on the original post with the update. You can edit your original post on Facebook and include something at the very top of the post like “Reunited with family” or “Found and back home safe” and so on. The posts will often pop up on people’s feeds days, weeks, or even months later so it’s good to keep the post current. And, if your pet is still missing reshare the post or post a new post to remind everyone in the area they are still lost.
Follow up!
If you are still missing your pet don't give up!
continue your ground search and let your immediate neighbours know the pet is still missing or lost
call your local Vets and rescue groups, and give them a poster or photo (in person or by email)
include Veterinarians and rescues that are a bit farther away in case the pet got picked up by someone and taken out of town or has just travelled on foot farther than expected
check their Facebook or Instagram pages to see if they have posted anything about lost or found pets
check the BC SPCA Pet Search site for updates
If you have not already done so sign up for the BC Pet Registry so your pet's details are in the system and you have a greater chance of being reunited
repost in the Facebook Groups and check there regularly for any other residents posting about found or lost pets that may look similar and reach out to them for more details
repost on Next Door and other sites noted here
if you have not already done so, reach out to Petsearchers or the Scent Rescue Team for assistance. Their contact info and links are here.
Put up fresh posters and/or extend the area you put up posters - if the pet has been spooked or is wandering, they may end up a lot farther away than you would guess
Call Animal Control to follow up and check for any reports or updates
Do not assume anyone will automatically follow up with you if your pet is found and taken in, particularly if you do not have them registered. Even with microchips, there can be issues and they may not scan properly or there could be another issue. The rescue or Vet office may have missed your message, or forgotten completely, or there may be communication issues with staff changes, and so on. Rescues put a temporary hold on found pets but it is not long so it is important to follow up regularly.
We have a list of local rescues that you can contact here:
A slip lead can be a useful tool to keep with you. It is helpful to catch and secure a dog. As an example here is the Ruffwear one: https://ruffwear.ca
If you have any other tips or suggestions about how to search or resources we should add please comment below!
Further reading:
Pet Searchers article about 'Survival Mode' and lost pet behaviour: https://www.petsearcherscanada.com/survival-mode/
SPCA lost pet tips: https://bcpetregistry.ca/steps-lost-pet/ and tattoo registry
K9 Pet Trackers: https://katalbrecht.substack.com Kat is the founder of
Missing Animal Response Network Lost Pet Recovery Training by Kat Albrecht
Read more about feral and abandoned pet rabbits here:
Baby bunny rescue story and inspiration for this post is on a recent Substack post: https://open.substack.com/pub/furryornot
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