Lost Pet in Quebec
What to Do

The first hours are critical

Most lost pets are found within 2 km of home. Cats hide nearby and stay quiet. Dogs can travel much further.

Act now. The longer you wait, the bigger the search area gets.

Quick-reference action timetable

When	What to do	Goal
Right away	Search close to home: hiding spots, garages, stairwells, fences. Ask neighbours to check their sheds.	Cover the immediate area
Same day	Report to municipal animal services, nearby shelters/SPCAs, and vet clinics. Post online.	Get into the systems that reunite pets
Day 2 onward	Follow up daily with shelters and animal services. Keep posters up. Try humane trapping for scared cats.	Stay visible and consistent

Step 1: Search the area

Dogs

• Walk and drive the neighbourhood calling their name calmly
• Bring their favourite treat or squeaky toy
• Check parks, alleys, schoolyards, vacant lots, anywhere a dog could squeeze through

Cats

• Scared cats do not move. They hide in silence.
• Search within 100 to 500 metres, no further
• Check under porches, in garages, sheds, hedges, stairwells, and tight spaces
• Go out at dawn or after dark when it’s quiet. Call softly and listen.
• Put used litter outside (the familiar smell carries far)
• Leave a safe return route: a cracked garage door or a monitored entry, not wide-open doors

If your pet is scared, do not chase them. Move slowly, crouch, and use treats to draw them in.

Step 2: Report the disappearance

On aZoo.me

If your pet is registered on aZoo.me, turn on the "lost" alert. The system notifies members within 5 km and affiliated shelters within 50 km.

Municipal animal services

Call your municipality’s animal control on day one. Ask:

• Where do stray animals get taken?
• How long do they hold them before adoption or transfer?
• How are found animals listed (website, phone, in person)?
• What proof of ownership do they need to release your pet?

In Montreal, call Proanima (514-379-2525) to report a missing dog or cat. If the animal has a tag, call 311.

Shelters, SPCAs, and vet clinics

Call on day one, then keep following up:

• Your local SPCA or humane society
• Nearby shelters and rescue groups
• Vet clinics in your area

Give them a photo and a clear description: breed, colour, distinguishing marks, microchip number (to the shelter only, not publicly).

Social media

• Post in local lost-and-found pet Facebook groups
• Include: recent photo, location and date of disappearance, phone number
• Add: "Please do not chase. Call or text with sighting location."
• Share your aZoo.me report link if you have one

Step 3: Posters in the neighbourhood

Good old posters still work, especially when they’re simple and readable at a glance.

A good poster includes:

• LOST in large bold letters
• Large colour photo of the pet’s face
• Breed, colour, size, approximate weight, distinguishing features
• Location and date of disappearance
• Your phone number in large font
• "Microchipped" if applicable. Do not print the microchip number.
• Optional: QR code linking to your pet’s aZoo.me profile

Where to post them:

• Busy intersections within 1 km
• Pet stores, vet clinics, grocery stores, corner stores
• Dog parks, schools, bus stops
• Community bulletin boards

Check your municipality’s bylaws on posted signs.

Step 4: Advanced techniques

Camera or food trap

• Place strong-smelling food (tuna, chicken) near the last sighting
• Use a trail camera to track timing and direction of movement
• For scared cats, try a humane trap. Contact a rescue group for help.

Scent-tracking dog

• Some Quebec services offer specialized tracking dogs
• Works best within the first 24 to 72 hours

Tracking device

• If your pet has a GPS tracker (AirTag, Tractive, etc.), check it right away
• Turn on "Lost Mode" if available

What NOT to do

• Do not chase a scared animal. They’ll run further.
• Do not wait hoping they’ll come back on their own
• Do not post your full address on social media
• Do not share the microchip number publicly (fraud risk)
• Do not stop searching after a few days. Pets get found weeks and months later.

Legal basics in Quebec

Ownership

Quebec’s Civil Code treats animals as sentient beings, not just property. If there’s a dispute, you’ll need evidence: microchip registration, municipal licence, vet records, photos.

If someone found your pet

Under Quebec civil law, a lost animal still belongs to its owner. The finder has to try to return it. If someone won’t give your pet back:

1. Offer to meet at a neutral place (vet clinic, SPCA, animal services) to verify ownership
2. Show your proof: microchip registry, vet records, photos, municipal registration
3. Put your request in writing to create a dated record

If someone is keeping your pet fraudulently, theft provisions of the Criminal Code can apply. Pets are covered as "animate" things under the theft definition.

Reporting cruelty or neglect

• Quebec government reporting line: 1-844-ANIMAUX (264-6289)
• SPCA de Montreal cruelty hotline (province-wide, 24/7): 1-855-711-7575
• Immediate public safety emergencies: 911

Abandonment timelines

Quebec’s Animal Welfare and Safety Act sets out when an animal is considered abandoned. If an inspector picks up a stray, the Act gives timelines after which the animal can be transferred if the owner doesn’t come forward. Act fast and follow up daily.

Prevention

Before it happens

• Microchip your pet and keep your contact info current in the registry
• Register your pet on aZoo.me with up-to-date photos and IDs
• Keep the municipal tag on the collar at all times
• Add a GPS tracker to the collar for pets that go outdoors
• Take recent photos from several angles. You’ll need them.

The numbers are on your side

• 93% of lost dogs are found
• 74% of lost cats are found
• Microchipped pets are 2.5 times more likely to get back home
• Most pets are found within the first week

Frequently Asked Questions

My pet is lost. Where do I start?

Search the area right away (100 m for a cat, the neighbourhood for a dog). Report on aZoo.me, call your city’s animal services, nearby shelters and vet clinics, and post in local Facebook groups.

Should I call the police?

Municipal police don’t usually search for lost pets, but they may get reports about found animals. If you suspect theft, yes, call the police.

My indoor cat got out. What now?

Indoor cats rarely go far. Search within 100 metres: under porches, in bushes, open garages. Go out at night with a flashlight and listen. Put used litter outside.

How long can a lost pet survive outside?

Most domestic dogs and cats can survive several weeks in urban areas. Don’t give up.

Someone found my pet but won’t give them back. What do I do?

Gather your evidence (microchip registration, vet invoices, photos). Contact municipal animal services. If needed, call the police. Keeping someone’s pet fraudulently can be theft under the Criminal Code.

I found a pet. What should I do?

Check the collar for a tag or contact info. Bring the animal to a shelter or vet clinic to scan for a microchip. You can also search on aZoo.me with any ID number (card, medal, microchip) to reach the owner directly. In Montreal, call 311 if the animal has a tag, or contact Proanima otherwise.

Is aZoo.me free?

Yes. Creating an account and adding your pets costs nothing. The physical aZoo.me ID card and engraved tag are optional purchases.