Every pet owner's worst nightmare is losing their beloved companion. Whether your dog slips out an open door or your cat doesn't come home at dinnertime, the panic and fear are overwhelming. In Saskatoon, hundreds of pets go missing each year, but with the right preparation and quick action, most are reunited with their families.
At City Park Veterinary Clinic, we've helped countless Saskatoon pet owners navigate the stress of lost pets. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about preventing pets from going missing, what to do if your pet disappears, and how to help if you find a lost animal in our community.
Preventing Your Pet from Getting Lost
The best strategy for dealing with lost pets is prevention. Taking proactive steps now can make all the difference if your pet ever goes missing.
Microchipping: Your Pet's Permanent ID
Microchipping is the single most effective way to ensure your pet can be identified and returned to you. Unlike collars and tags that can fall off or become unreadable, a microchip is a permanent form of identification implanted just under your pet's skin. When a lost pet is brought to a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or Animal Control, the first thing staff do is scan for a microchip.
The microchip contains a unique ID number linked to your contact information in a national database. However, a microchip is only useful if your contact information is current. Make sure to update your details whenever you move or change phone numbers.
If your pet isn't microchipped yet, schedule an appointment at City Park Vet. The quick, simple procedure provides lifelong protection for your furry friend.
Proper Identification Tags
While microchips are essential, visible ID tags offer an immediate way for someone to contact you if they find your pet. Every dog and cat should wear a collar with:
Your pet's name
Your current phone number
Your address (optional, but helpful)
Any critical medical information
Check your pet's collar regularly to ensure it fits properly (you should be able to slip two fingers underneath) and that tags are legible and securely attached.
Pet Licensing in Saskatoon
Did you know that all cats and dogs over four months old must be licensed in Saskatoon? Beyond being a legal requirement, licensing significantly increases the chances of reuniting with your pet if they go missing. When Animal Control finds a licensed pet, they can quickly identify and contact the owner.
Licensed pets also have access to Saskatoon's 11 off-leash dog parks, where proper identification is especially important in busy, social environments. Learn more about licensing requirements and benefits in our complete guide to pet licensing.
Secure Your Home and Yard
Many pets escape through preventable gaps in fencing or open doors. Take time to:
Walk your property and check for holes, loose boards, or areas where pets could dig under fences
Install self-closing mechanisms on gates
Create a "buffer zone" by teaching pets to wait before going outside
Never leave pets unattended in unfenced yards
Winter Safety Precautions
Saskatchewan winters present unique risks for lost pets. Dogs can lose their scent in snow and become disoriented, making it harder for them to find their way home. During winter months:
Avoid letting your dog off-leash during snowstorms
Keep walks shorter in extreme cold
More dogs are lost during winter than any other season, so extra caution during cold months is important.
What to Do If Your Pet Goes Missing
Despite your best efforts, pets can still go missing. Acting quickly and strategically dramatically increases your chances of a happy reunion.
Immediate Actions (First 2 Hours)
1. Search Your Home Thoroughly
Before panicking, search every room, closet, basement, and hiding spot. Cats especially may be hiding in unexpected places. Shake a treat bag or use a familiar sound to coax them out.
2. Report to Animal Control
Many pet owners hesitate to contact Animal Control because they're worried about fees or consequences, but reporting your lost pet right away is one of the most important steps you can take. Here's why:
Animal Control maintains a database of found pets and can match your report if someone brings your pet in
If your pet is injured and brought to them, they can contact you immediately
It creates an official record that protects you legally
Staff can provide guidance and resources specific to your situation
The sooner you report, the faster the reunion if your pet is found
Don't let fear of fees prevent you from reporting. The cost of recovering your pet through Animal Control is minimal compared to the alternative of never finding them. Most pet owners who delay reporting deeply regret it later.
Report your lost pet to the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency as soon as you realize they're missing.
3. Search Your Neighborhood
Walk or drive around your immediate area, calling your pet's name. Bring treats, a favorite toy, or squeaky items. Check common hiding spots like under porches, behind bushes, and in nearby yards.
Bring a recent photo of your pet on your phone to show neighbors and passersby. Don't be shy about knocking on doors—most people are happy to help and will keep an eye out.
4. Leave Scent Markers
Place your pet's bed, your worn clothing, or their litter box outside your home. Familiar scents can help guide them back.
Expand Your Search (Hours 2-24)
Once you've completed the immediate actions, it's time to widen your search efforts.
Saskatoon SPCA
In addition to Animal Control, contact the Saskatoon SPCA. They shelter many found animals in the city. Check their Found Animals page regularly and visit in person if possible—sometimes pets look different than their photos, and staff may not make the connection.
Local Veterinary Clinics
Call veterinary clinics in your area, including City Park Vet, to report your missing pet. Good Samaritans often bring found animals to the nearest vet clinic for scanning and care. We maintain a list of lost pet reports and will contact you immediately if your pet is brought to us.
Contact City Park Vet to report your missing pet.
After-Hours Emergencies
If you're worried your pet may have been injured or is deceased, contact the City of Saskatoon's 24-hour Customer Care Centre at (306) 975-2476.
Leverage Social Media and Community Networks
Stoon Missing Pets Facebook Group
The Stoon Missing Pets Facebook Group is an incredibly active community dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners. Post:
Clear, recent photos of your pet
Description including breed, color, size, and distinguishing features
Location and date last seen
Your contact information
Whether your pet is microchipped
Street Cat Saskatoon
If your cat is missing, Street Cat is a valuable resource specifically for cat owners in Saskatoon. They maintain lost and found listings and offer advice specific to finding lost cats.
Other Social Media Platforms
Post on your personal social media accounts, local community Facebook groups, and Saskatoon-specific pages. Ask friends to share your posts to increase visibility.
Create and Distribute Lost Pet Posters
Physical posters remain effective, especially in areas without strong social media presence. Create posters with:
Large, clear photo of your pet
"LOST DOG" or "LOST CAT" in bold letters
Brief description
Location and date last seen
Your contact phone number
"REWARD" if you're offering one (you don't need to specify the amount)
Post them in high-traffic areas:
Veterinary clinics
Pet supply stores
Grocery stores
Community bulletin boards
Coffee shops
Bus stops near where your pet went missing
Always ask permission before posting, and remove posters once your pet is found.
Additional Search Strategies
For Lost Dogs:
Visit off-leash dog parks your dog frequents
Search during dawn and dusk when it's quieter
Bring another dog if possible—your pet may respond to them
Leave food and water outside your home
For Lost Cats:
Search at night with a flashlight (their eyes will reflect)
Focus on a small radius (cats typically don't travel far)
Set humane traps with smelly food like tuna or sardines
Ask neighbors to check garages, sheds, and vehicles before closing them
If You Find a Lost Pet in Saskatoon
Finding a lost pet can be just as stressful as losing one. Here's how to help reunite them with their family safely and legally.
Important: Lost Pets Are NOT "Finders Keepers"
In Canada, pets are considered property under the law. Keeping a found pet without attempting to locate the owner is theft, even if the animal appears neglected or uncared for. What may look like an abandoned or stray pet is often a beloved family member who has been lost for days or weeks.
A pet with matted fur, no collar, or appearing thin does not mean they're unwanted. Lost pets can deteriorate quickly—they may be too frightened to eat, their collar may have fallen off during their ordeal, and outdoor exposure takes a toll fast. Their owner is likely searching desperately for them.
Never assume a pet is up for adoption just because you found them. Follow proper procedures to locate the owner. If you're concerned about the pet's welfare once reunited, you can report your concerns to Animal Control, but the decision is not yours to make.
Pet theft is a serious issue in Saskatoon and across Canada. Some people find pets and keep them without reporting, believing they're "rescuing" the animal. This causes immense pain to families searching for their companions and is illegal.
Approach with Caution
Lost pets are often frightened, disoriented, and may behave unpredictably. Even friendly-looking dogs can bite when scared. Approach slowly and calmly:
Speak in a gentle, soothing voice
Avoid direct eye contact (which can be threatening)
Crouch down to appear less intimidating
Offer treats or food if available
Don't chase or corner the animal
If the pet seems aggressive, sick, or injured, don't approach. Contact Animal Control for assistance.
Check for Identification
If you can safely secure the pet, check for:
Collar with ID tags
City of Saskatoon pet license tag
Rabies vaccination tag with vet clinic information
Call the numbers on any tags immediately.
Bring the Pet to a Veterinary Clinic
Even if the pet has no visible identification, they may be microchipped. Bring the animal to any veterinary clinic to be scanned for a microchip. At City Park Veterinary Clinic, we're happy to scan any found pets free of charge during business hours.
If you find a pet after hours, the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency can also scan for microchips.
Report the Found Pet
Saskatoon Animal Control Agency
Report the found pet to Animal Control through their Lost & Found page. They maintain a database of lost pet reports and can match found animals with their owners. This is a legal requirement in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon SPCA
If you can't keep the found pet temporarily, bring them to the Saskatoon SPCA. They'll care for the animal while working to locate the owner. Do not rehome the pet yourself or give them to someone else—this is illegal.
Social Media
Post about the found pet on the Stoon Missing Pets Facebook Group and other local pages. Include:
Photo of the pet (but consider leaving out one identifying detail to prevent false claims)
General location where found
Gender and approximate age
"Contact with proof of ownership" rather than your full contact info
For found cats specifically, check Street Cat's Lost & Found page.
Temporary Care
If you're able to temporarily care for the pet while their owner is located:
Keep them separate from your own pets initially
Provide food, water, and a quiet space
Note any injuries or health concerns
Take the pet to a vet if they appear sick or injured
Remember: You are a temporary caregiver, not the new owner. Continue efforts to locate the original owner even if you've grown attached. Many lost pets are reunited days or even weeks after being found.
What If You Want to Adopt the Pet?
If a pet goes unclaimed after the legal holding period (set by Animal Control and the SPCA), they may become available for adoption through proper channels. Contact the Saskatoon SPCA if you're interested in adopting an unclaimed pet you found—but only after the holding period has expired and the pet is legally available.
Never make this decision on your own. Always work through official channels.
When to Seek Professional Help
Injured or Deceased Animals
If you find an injured animal, contact:
Saskatoon Animal Control Agency for after-hours emergencies
City of Saskatoon Customer Care Centre: (306) 975-2476 (24 hours)
City Park Veterinary Clinic during business hours for injured pets
If you find a deceased animal, the City provides information about proper reporting and removal through their Pet Licensing & Animal Services page.
Aggressive or Dangerous Animals
Never attempt to catch or handle an aggressive animal. Contact Animal Control immediately and keep others away from the area until help arrives.
The Power of Preparation
The best time to prepare for a lost pet is right now; before it happens. Taking preventive steps today could save you days or weeks of heartache and give your pet the best chance of coming home safely.
At City Park Veterinary Clinic, we're committed to keeping Saskatoon pets safe and healthy. Whether you need to discuss identification options, update your pet's microchip information, or simply want to ensure your pet is in good health, we're here to help.
Don't wait until your pet goes missing. Schedule an appointment today to ensure your pet has proper identification and is prepared for any emergency.
Local Resources for Lost & Found Pets in Saskatoon
Report a Lost or Found Pet: Saskatoon Animal Control Agency
24-Hour City Contact: (306) 975-2476
Check Shelter Intake: Saskatoon SPCA Found Animals
Community Support: Stoon Missing Pets Facebook Group
Cat-Specific Resources: Street Cat Lost & Found
Additional Tips: StarPhoenix Lost Pet Guide
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City Park Veterinary Clinic
Your trusted partner in pet care in Saskatoon
