Having a pet stray and go missing is a heartbreaking thing. There are several things pet owners can do to help ensure this doesn’t happen or if it does that they have a better chance of reclaiming their pet.

Secure pets at home – pets who are allowed to wander freely are at risk from vehicles, pesticides, other animals, public trapping (members of the public who set traps for wandering animals) and animal control officers. The best way to ensure pets don’t stray is to minimize the opportunities. Indoor pets generally live longer and healthier lives. If you have a working dog, ensure they are properly trained and safely secured in your yard or on your farm.

Secure pets when travelling – carrying pets in approved carriers and crates helps reduce the risk of them slipping away during travel. It also helps keep you and your passengers safer by reducing the risk of a pet slipping underfoot where you need to access the gas or brake pedals or distracting you from driving. Also, in the event of an accident, an unsecured pet can be thrown forward with great force harming both you and the pet. Likewise, unsecured dogs in the back of open trucks run the risk of being thrown out of the vehicle in traffic.

License and microchip your pets. Both processes help improve the chance of returning your pet if it strays. Pet licenses can be obtained for a small fee through the City or the SPCA shelter. The SPCA shelter will microchip non-shelter pets at an owner’s request via public clinic and by appointment at the shelter. There is a fee for this service and owners must prove ownership of the animal before we will complete the process. Veterinarians also offer microchipping services.