We know losing a pet is terrifying, but the Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre is here to help. It’s important to stay calm and start by searching around your home and neighbourhood. If your pet is not found, follow the steps below for the best possible chance of a reunion between you and your best friend.
Licensing is the best way to ensure lost pets get home safely.
Pet FBI and Pawboost.com are free online services and resources to help return lost pets back home. This site also allows you to create flyers to post in your neighbourhood.
Found pets
Many pets are found by neighbours within close proximity to the pet's home. If you see a healthy cat outdoors, it may be your neighbour’s pet that has regular outdoor access or a community cat that lives outside. We need community members to assist us in limiting shelter intakes to animals that are truly homeless or suffering, and those that represent public safety concerns. We are here to help. Follow the steps below and contact Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre for more information.
Lost and found FAQ
What to do if you have found kittens?
We frequently receive calls from residents who have found unattended kittens and do not know what to do. Many deliver boxes of kittens to the Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre without knowing if the kittens are actually orphaned or not.
When kittens are very young, their best chance of survival is with their mom. Before bringing kittens to the shelter, refer to this chart and contact us for further instructions.
Additional reference information:
Pro-tip: Mom might be scared to come back if you’re watching her nest. Try leaving a ring of flour around the kittens and checking back after a few hours to see if you can see mom’s footprints.
Helping kittens that have been orphaned
Unfortunately, there are times when kittens become permanently separated from their mothers. In this case, it is important to get them appropriate care.
You’d make a great foster parent
If you’re willing to care for the kittens until they’re two-months-old (or weigh two pounds) and can be placed for adoption, contact us and let us know you’re interested in being a volunteer foster family (insert link to foster info). Don’t worry if you don’t have experience. We will provide you with training, supplies and the support needed to raise these kittens in your home.
If you’re unable to care for the kittens, we’re still here to help. If you found confirmed orphaned, critically sick or injured kittens within the Town of Georgina, call Animal Services at 1-877-979-PAWS (7297) and call or email the shelter at 1-800-898-8606 animal-control@georgina.ca and we will work to find them a foster within our program or with one of our rescue partners.
If you have found an orphaned or ill kitten within the Town of Georgina outside of our business hours, proceed to your local veterinary clinic and call Animal Services at 1-877-979-PAWS (7297).
For more information and resources check out
What to do if you found a pet?
- Sick, injured or aggressive animals are prioritized. Contact Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre or Animal Services 1-877-979-PAWS (7297) immediately for assistance.
- Be safe!
- If the animal is acting aggressively do not approach; be aware of your surroundings and do not run or chase after animals, especially near roadways
- Check for identification
- If you are able to, check the animal for collars and ID tags
- Snap a photo
- If possible, get a quick photo of the animal which will aid with identification
- Contact Animal Services in your area or the Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre at 1-800-898-8606 or by email animal-control@georgina.ca to file a detailed found pet report and to check if anyone has reported a missing pet that matches the description of the animal you have found
- Check with your neighbours who may recognize the pet from your area and know where it lives
- Take the pet to the animal shelter or a local veterinarian to have it scanned for a microchip
- Utilize social media to share information about the animal and help find the owner
What to do if you lost your pet?
- Contact Animal Services in your area or the Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre at 1-800-898-8606 or email animal-control@georgina.ca to file a detailed missing pet report
- Email a picture, your pet’s description and where it was last seen to assist staff in identifying your lost pet
- View stray pets at the Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre via Facebook @georginaanimalshelter.ca
- Spread the word in your neighbourhood
- Most missing pets are found by their owners or Good Samaritans close to home. Walk the neighbourhood, knock on doors and ask anyone you encounter if they may have seen your pet. Ask your neighbours to check in and around garages, sheds and under decks for missing cats. Some indoor cats become disoriented, frightened and seek somewhere to hide.
- Utilize social media and programs such as Paw Boost and Pet FBI
- Make sure your pets’ microchip information is up to date
- Call your microchip company directly
- If you aren’t sure which company but you know your pets microchip number, you can enter it here (Microchip Search | AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup) to find the company contact information
- If you don’t know the microchip number, contact the implant facility (veterinarian, animal shelter, etc.)
- Register your pet’s microchip
- Check animal shelters and with animal services in neighbouring municipalities.
- Don’t give up! Search early and search often; lost animals are often very close to home. And remember, pets have been reunited with their family months to years after going missing.
- If you find your lost pet, let the animal shelter and animal services know so they can update their files and stop looking for the pet.