We are committed to serving you and your pets. Our experienced veterinary team will help you understand your pets’ needs and the options available to you in caring for them
Our goal is to help you always make the best choices for the health and welfare of your animal companion. We know what that means - we’re pet owners too.
It’s all too common, but someday your pet could go missing. It’s a stressful time and here are our recommendations on how to handle the situation:
1. Act Immediately… Don’t delay in the hope that your pet will just turn up again on your doorstep. Timing is important. Start the search right away. If possible get friends to help you cover a wider area starting where your pet was last seen. Family and familiar faces are best since your pet may know them. Having some cookies or favourite treats is a good idea too. Dogs may wander in areas familiar to them – check those first. Cats tend to hide under things like porches, decks, vehicles or other small spaces.
2. Publish – make a poster… Use a clear, colour photo of your pet. Include face and full body features like coat, colouring and size. Include your pet’s name, age, breed, approximate size/weight. State where and when your pet went missing. Describe collar or tags if the pet was wearing them. Describe the pet’s character (shy, friendly, etc.)Include a reliable telephone number and email address for contact. List any medical conditions or daily medication the pet may need.
3. Distribute – get the word out…
Put up your posters in the area your pet has gone missing. Place them in visible, high traffic areas for best exposure. Pet stores, local animal shelters and Vet clinics are good places to do this.
4. Use the internet… Take advantage of Social Media. It’s fast and far-reaching. On Manitoulin Island, an excellent Facebook resource is Manitoulin Pets Reunited. Another good Facebook resource is Sudbury Manitoulin North Shore Lost and Found Pets. Lost and Found Pets of Ontario is also a good site to include in your search. Post an image of your lost pet or the poster you’ve created online. If you have a Twitter account – use it to get the message out. Ask your online friends to “share” your post through their lists. Check your local municipal website for lost pet info or a number to call for their animal shelter. Follow up on all leads you find. Even if a lead seems too far away, follow up on it. You never know how a pet can be transported a great distance from home. Check often with the local vets and animal shelters.
5. Micro-Chip…
If you’ve had your pet equipped with a micro chip, contact the service number your chip provider has given you and notify them of the missing pet and all the relevant details.
6. When your pet is found...
Have your Vet do an overall check-up for hidden injuries or health threats.
Update all your online notices and change them to show your pet has been found.
Thank all the good folks who played a part in your pet’s return.
7. Things you can do now to keep your pet safe:
Microchip your pet and keep your contact information current.
Make tags that include your pet’s name and a contact telephone number. Leave the tags on the pet (collar) permanently. Replace them if they become hard to read or outdated.
License your pet with your local municipality. This can help with their speedy return if they wander off and are found by animal control authorities.
Register your pet with online, local or regional lost pet services.
For dogs: fence your yard. Monitor open doors and screens. Don’t assume your good dog will never bolt out the door.
If you come across what seems like a lost pet, we suggest the following:
1. Don’t approach the animal. It may be fearful, in pain and aggressive.
As a stranger, you don’t know how the animal will respond to you. If it’s well-socialized and approaches you freely, be gentle and assuring in your speech, make no sudden movement to grab or hold it. Clip a leash to its collar if possible but don’t try to hold it or pick it up. Note any obvious injuries. Provide shelter. Do not feed or let the animal drink if it seems unwell or hurt. Contact a Vet for advice if medical attention appears necessary. Guard your own safety first.
2. Call your local animal control authority - usually municipal.
3. If the animal has safely come into your custody and care, make it comfortable.
Check online lost animal postings listed above and also post your own notice about the found pet. Post a photo if possible. Use your local network of pet owners, vets and pet stores to distribute info on the found pet.
