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Follow these 8 steps to maximize your chances of finding your pet.
Have you lost your dog or cat? It’s important to act quickly to maximize your chances of finding your pet. There are several ways to make your search easier. Discover the 8 steps to follow to find your lost pet in Quebec.
Step 1: Report your pet as lost on Vetygo
If your pet isn’t registered on Vetygo yet, create a free account at app.vetygo.ca and add your pet.
Next, log in to your Vetygo account on the website or in the Marengo mobile app, then go to your pet’s profile to report it missing.
Instructions: Log in → See more → Report as lost.
Also, make sure your contact information is up to date so that you can be reached quickly if your pet is found.
If your dog or cat has a microchip registered with another registry, please contact that registry as well to report your pet as missing and update your contact information.
Step 2: Create and share your lost pet posters
From your pet’s profile in the Marengo mobile app, available on Android and iOS (Apple), create a “pet lost” poster containing the essential information to help identify your pet.
Share your flyer on social media, especially in Facebook groups dedicated to lost dogs and cats in your area.
Also, print out a few copies to post in your neighborhood—especially in stores, veterinary clinics, and other high-traffic areas—where posting is permitted.
Step 3: Look for your dog or cat in the surrounding area
Start your search where your pet was last seen. Check backyards, garages, sheds, bushes, and any other places where it might be hiding.
Are you looking for a lost cat? Start by focusing your search on hiding spots near your home. Scared cats tend to hide and may remain silent, even when their owner calls them.
Are you looking for a lost dog? Gradually expand your search area, since a dog can travel long distances. Be sure to check parks, trails, and places the dog usually frequents.
Choose quiet times, such as early in the morning or in the evening. If you spot your pet, approach it gently without chasing it to avoid scaring it further.
Step 4: Contact animal shelters and veterinary clinics
Contact animal shelters, animal protection societies (APS), municipal animal services, and veterinary clinics in your area to report your lost pet.
Provide a description of your dog or cat, a recent photo, the location where it went missing, and its microchip number, if available.
Check their posts and lists of found animals regularly. Also consider contacting organizations in neighboring municipalities, as your pet may have been taken in several kilometers away from your home.
Step 5: Reach out to your neighbors and use social media
Let your neighbors, local business owners, and people who regularly visit your neighborhood know. Ask them to check their garages, sheds, and yards, as your pet may have taken refuge there.
Post your missing pet notice in local Facebook groups and on platforms dedicated to lost pets in Quebec.
Encourage people to share your post and ask witnesses to specify the location, date, and time of any sightings. This information can help guide your search.
Step 6: Help Your Pet Adjust to Coming Home
Some animals can find their way home by recognizing familiar landmarks. You can place a blanket, a pillow, or a piece of clothing with a familiar scent near your front door, in a safe spot that’s sheltered from the elements.
If your dog or cat is regularly seen in the same spot and won’t let anyone approach it, contact an animal shelter or a specialized organization for advice on how to safely retrieve it.
Step 7: Continue your research and verify the reports
Don’t get discouraged if your pet isn’t found right away. Keep checking posts about found animals, contacting shelters, and sharing your flyers.
Gradually expand your search area based on the reports you receive. A lost dog or cat may be found several days, weeks, or even months after it goes missing.
If someone claims to have found your pet, ask for a photo or details to confirm its identity. Also, be wary of suspicious requests for payment.
Step 8: Report that your pet has been found
Once your pet has been found, log back into your Vetygo account to update its status and indicate that it is back home.
Also, notify animal shelters and the people who helped with the search, then take down your posters and update your social media posts.
Take this opportunity to verify that the information associated with its microchip is accurate so that it can be easily identified if it goes missing again.
Don’t lose hope: your pet might be right nearby!
Don’t lose hope! Sometimes a lost dog or cat is taken in by someone who thinks it’s a stray, especially if it isn’t wearing a collar or an ID tag.
There are many stories of pet owners who have found their pets several months after they went missing—sometimes even a few kilos heavier—because well-meaning neighbors had been feeding them!
Even as the days and weeks go by, keep hope alive and keep searching. Your companion might be much closer than you think!