What can I do?
When beloved pets go missing, it is important to try and track them down as quickly as possible. The following tips are designed to help you find your pet, or help return lost pets to their owners.
FILL OUT A LOST ANIMAL REPORT ONLINE
Please contact us at (709) 726-0301 or visit the shelter in person during business hours. You may email us a picture of your animal to aid in identification.
How can I help prevent my animal from going missing?
1. Make sure your pet gets SPAYED OR NEUTERED! A spayed or neutered pet is less likely to go missing.
2. Identify your animal with a tag from your municipal council.
3. Get your pet tattooed and/or microchipped at the veterinarian.
4. Write your name and phone number underneath their collar.
5. Take a picture of your animal, that you can show other people in case it goes missing.
What to do when a pet is lost?
1. Call the S.P.C.A. at (709) 726-0301 or better yet visit the shelter with a picture of your animal.
2. Call your local animal control facility and visit if possible.
3. Call all radio stations.
4. Call all veterinary hospitals.
5. Let your neighbors know your animal is missing, and post notices with a picture if possible.
6. Look for your cat early in the morning or late at night when it is quiet. Especially if your cat is an indoor cat who would be easily frightened by strange noises.
7. Place an ad in the local paper and offer a reward.
8. Provide details such as the color, breed, age, sex, and length of animal’s hair. Mention whether or not the animal is wearing a collar or tags and the color and type. Don’t forget to tell us where and when the animal went missing. Also remember to tell us about any distinguishing marks or old injuries. All details help. The more people you tell about your missing animal the quicker he/she will be returned to you.
What to do when a pet is found?
1. Call all the places listed above under what to do if an animal is lost.
2. Arrange to take the animal to the closest S.P.C.A. or animal control holding facility. The facilities available in your community will determine your options in this regard. The S.P.C.A. in St. John’s will accept any stray animal from the Avalon Peninsula during shelter hours. Please note: You will need to arrange to get the animal to us. Unfortunately we do not own vehicles nor do we have the staff to pick animals up.
3. If you find an animal after hours, try and find a warm and comfortable spot to keep them overnight. Provide them with food and water. If the animal is a cat, use shredded newspaper in a cardboard box as a litter tray if you have no litter available. As most people who notice lost animals have their own animals at home, you may have to be inventive to find somewhere to hold them. This could be in your washroom, an insulated shed, or at a friend or neighbors house.
4. Please remember if you decide to hold a lost animal in your home, provide the local shelter with a good description and if possible a picture of the animal. If you are unsure as to the age, sex, or colour description consult with the S.P.C.A. or your veterinarian. We will not be able to find an owner if your description is not accurate.
5. Animals must be held for 3 or 10 days as appropriate by law to give an owner the opportunity to claim them. Please do not give the animal to anyone who just expresses an interest in adopting them. This is not an adequate means to find the animal a permanent home
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