What to do if an animal is lost?

Losing a pet is one of the most traumatic events for any owner, especially in a large city like Calgary, with a population of over 1.3 million people and an extensive network of parks, rivers, and natural areas.

Statistics show that 1 in 3 pets are lost during their lifetime, and 90% of them never return home without proper identification. However, the situation in Calgary is much better thanks to a well-developed support infrastructure and an active community network of volunteers.

Statistics and key figures

Calgary Animal Services reports that more than 5,000 lost and found animals pass through their center each year. Of these, approximately:

  • 85% of dogs are returned home
  • 45% of cats are reunited with their families

The key to success is speed of response. Animals reported within the first 24 hours have a significantly higher chance of being returned.

YYC Pet Recovery is Calgary's largest Facebook group (over 55,000 followers) dedicated to helping find lost pets. Its co-owner, Lea-anne Wilke, says that the community of volunteers is the main reason for its success.

Immediate action in the first hours after a pet goes missing

The first 15 minutes — a critical initial search

The moment you realize your pet is missing requires immediate but thoughtful action.

For dogs:

  • Search within a 1 km radius of the place where they went missing.

  • Call your pet by name.

  • Check all favorite places.

  • Dogs can cover long distances in minutes, so expand your search quickly.

For cats:

  • Start inside the house — closets, basements, attics, washing machines, dryers.

  • Many “lost” cats are actually hiding.

  • The Calgary Humane Society advises interviewing all family members before considering a cat missing.

First hour — expand the search and get help

  • Enlist neighbors to help with the search.

  • For dogs, an effective method is:

  • search by car with windows open;

  • drive slowly around the area with constant calls.

  • For cats, expand your search area: under decks, in bushes, garages, sheds.

  • Most cats stay close to home and can hide for days.

Official services and reporting procedures

Calgary Animal Services — primary municipal service

  • Address: 2201 Portland Street S.E.

  • Hours:

  • Mon–Fri: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

  • Sat: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

  • Sun: closed

  • Contact information:

  • In Calgary: 311

  • Outside Calgary: 403-268-2489

Special features:

  • You can file a Lost Animal Report.

  • The database is updated every 15 minutes during business hours.

  • It is recommended to visit the center in person to view the animals.

Tip: Download the Pets mobile app from the City of Calgary to monitor new animals at the shelter.

To pick up an animal, you will need photo ID and payment for boarding/medical services.

Calgary Humane Society — regional coverage

  • Address: 4455 110th Avenue SE

  • Hours:

  • Tue–Sun: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

  • Mon: Closed

  • Phone: 403-205-4455

Features:

  • Accepts animals found outside the city.
  • Assists with exotic and abandoned animals.
  • Maintains its own database of found animals on its website.

Microchipping as the primary method of identification

Microchipping system in Calgary

Microchipping is the most effective method for finding animals:

  • In Calgary, over 50 veterinary clinics are equipped with scanners.

  • A microchip the size of a grain of rice is implanted between the shoulder blades.

  • It contains a unique identification number.

Signal Hill Animal Clinic emphasizes that:

  • Almost all shelters use microchip scanners.
  • The procedure is painless and similar to a routine vaccination.

Canadian microchip registries

In Canada, there are several major organizations that maintain unified pet registries with microchips. Registration ensures quick contact with the owner in case of loss.

Searching for lost pets in Calgary — resources, tips, and prevention

Major microchip registries in Canada

  • AVID (Petidco) — 1-800-338-1397

  • HomeAgain — 1-888-466-3242 (most popular system in North America, 24/7 support)

  • EIDAP Inc. — 1-888-346-8899

  • Microchip 4 Solutions Inc. — 1-877-738-4384

Midlake Vet emphasizes the importance of updating contact information in the microchip registry. With up-to-date information, reunions after 10 years of separation are possible.

Social media as a powerful search tool

YYC Pet Recovery — a leading platform

YYC Pet Recovery is the most powerful platform for finding lost animals in Calgary, with over 55,000 active subscribers.

  • The group consists of volunteers and community members who help with the search.
  • Lea-anne Wilke, co-owner of the group, notes that administrators verify the accuracy of information and provide advice to owners.
  • The community brings together veterinarians, Calgary Animal Services, and Calgary Humane Society to create an integrated support network.

The effectiveness of social media

  • Patricia Horgan: thanks to YYC Pet Recovery, she got her Yorkie back within an hour.

  • Lisa Armstrong found her cat Charlie after 92 days thanks to a photo on social media.

  • Healthy Paws Forward Veterinary Hospital recommends:

  • Post your pet's name and photo online.

  • Ask friends and the community to share your posts.

  • Create search parties.

Creating effective search posters

Basic design principles

  • Balance informativeness and readability.
  • The poster should grab attention in a few seconds.
  • Headings: “Lost cat” or “Missing dog” are simple and effective.
  • Use large bold text and bright colors.

Critically important elements of a poster

  • Photograph — the main element.
  • Choose a clear color photo.
  • If printing on colored paper, it is better to attach the photo to a white background.
  • Contact information:
  • include a phone number that is easy to reach;
  • use a clear font;
  • add tear-off strips with the number.

Common mistakes when creating posters

  • Do not provide too much detail — scammers can take advantage of this.

  • Missing Animal Response advises leaving one distinctive detail for verification.

  • If you offer a reward, do not specify the exact amount to avoid fraud.

Specialized strategies for different types of animals

Searching for lost cats

  • Be patient and quiet.
  • Look under decks, stairs, in bushes, and sheds.
  • The best time to search is late at night when it is quiet.
  • Visit animal shelters in person every 2 days.
  • Leave posters at veterinary clinics.

Searching for lost dogs

  • If you see a dog, do not chase it.
  • Call 311 to report it.
  • Use dogs' sense of smell, hearing, and sight — they are more effective than humans.
  • Search a wider area, as dogs can travel kilometers in minutes.

Professional services and additional resources

K9 Recovery Services and professional trackers

  • Help with difficult cases.
  • Use advanced tracking technology.
  • Have experience returning dogs and cats even after long periods of time.

Veterinary clinics as support centers

  • VCA Canada emphasizes that clinics help when:
  • Calgary Animal Services and Calgary Humane Society are closed;
  • an animal is injured or needs medical attention.
  • Veterinary clinics are equipped with microchip scanners and help identify animals.

Note: Most 24-hour clinics reserve space for sick animals, so found animals are only kept temporarily.

Long-term strategies and prevention

Preventive measures

  • Microchipping is a key safety measure.
  • It is recommended to do this at a young age.
  • Willow Park Animal Clinic reminds us that:
  • 1 in 3 animals gets lost during their lifetime;
  • 90% of unidentified animals do not return home.

Prepare an action plan

  • Keep up-to-date photos of your pet.
  • Keep contact information for shelters, veterinarians, and social media.
  • Have microchip details and poster templates ready in advance.

Conclusion

Losing a pet in Calgary can be overcome thanks to a well-developed support network. For a successful reunion, it is important to:

  • act quickly in the first few hours;
  • use social media and modern technology;
  • develop an action plan in advance.

Calgary has one of the best systems in North America for finding lost pets. Proper preparation, up-to-date microchip information, and access to resources increase the chances of a quick return of your pet.