TIPS: HOW TO FIND YOUR DOG
1. File a lost pet report with your local animal control officer and your local shelter.
For Ottawa, please file a report online with the Ottawa Humane Society.
For the l'Outaouais, you can file a report online with the SPCA l'Outaouais.
For surrounding areas, please see our tab "Important Contact Numbers" for other local shelters and animal control officers.
2. Post your dog on our Facebook page, Ottawa and Valley Lost Pet Network. This is a free service.
3. Check Kijiji, Used Ottawa and other buy and sell sites as many people post ads there. Look in every category including: Lost and Found, Free to Good Home, and For Sale. Post an ad on Kijiji and make use of social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Reddit. Post ads on other lost pet sites such as Helping Lost Pets.
4. Create and distribute a lost dog poster. For your convenience, an example poster you can use in your lost-pet search is available here. lost_poster_template.pdf
5. Make index cards with the same information as above and go to every home, in every direction from the site of where your dog disappeared. Give people a card, slide cards under doors and place them on windshields. Stop and speak with every person you encounter - the more people who know about your lost dog, the more likely the person who spots him will call you.
6. Tag your car with Neon Car Glass Markers. Tape a photo of your pet to your car’s back window.
7. Ask people to check their garages, under their decks, in barns and sheds - especially at night.
8. Put a LOST PET sign on your lawn and/or in the exact spot your dog went missing. Also, place signs at major intersections in the area. People who find dogs will often drive around trying to find the owners.
9. Call all veterinary clinics including those outside your local area as sometimes people pick up a stray and drive it to a distant clinic.
10. Contact your microchip company and ensure your microchip information is up to date.
11. Call all surrounding animal shelters and animal control officers, local dog kennels, dog training clubs, and grooming shops to get the word out.
12. Visit all local dog pounds and animal shelters. Do not rely on their information, go in and look at all dogs DAILY.
If you think your pet is at the OHS, visit the during our hours of operation at the Municipal Animal Shelter to pick them up.
To claim a lost pet, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to make an appointment.
13. Take an article of clothing that has been worn at least a day, the longer the better, so your dog can pick up the scent. Bring the article of clothing to the location where your dog was last seen and leave it there. Also, if your dog has a crate and familiar toy, you can bring those too (unless location undesirable for crate). You might also want to leave a note requesting item(s) not to be moved. Check intermittently if possible.
Even the friendliest and most social dogs may quickly become terrified and wild. Your own friendly dog when lost may hide from people and run away. He may even run away from you. Don't chase after a lost dog - they are much faster and you will only scare them more. Instead, sit on the ground, talk in normal tones repeating his name and familiar phrases over and over again. A frightened, hungry animal will usually stick around, and after a few minutes or hours, come closer and closer. Bring high value treats like bacon, hot dogs, chicken, hamburgers, etc.
You may need to rent or purchase a humane live trap.
Most importantly, DON'T GIVE UP! Be aggressive in your search, get lots of help, get the word out right away - don't wait a few hours "to see if he'll come home on his own." You will need those first few hours to inform as many people as possible.
For Ottawa, please file a report online with the Ottawa Humane Society.
For the l'Outaouais, you can file a report online with the SPCA l'Outaouais.
For surrounding areas, please see our tab "Important Contact Numbers" for other local shelters and animal control officers.
2. Post your dog on our Facebook page, Ottawa and Valley Lost Pet Network. This is a free service.
3. Check Kijiji, Used Ottawa and other buy and sell sites as many people post ads there. Look in every category including: Lost and Found, Free to Good Home, and For Sale. Post an ad on Kijiji and make use of social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Reddit. Post ads on other lost pet sites such as Helping Lost Pets.
4. Create and distribute a lost dog poster. For your convenience, an example poster you can use in your lost-pet search is available here. lost_poster_template.pdf
5. Make index cards with the same information as above and go to every home, in every direction from the site of where your dog disappeared. Give people a card, slide cards under doors and place them on windshields. Stop and speak with every person you encounter - the more people who know about your lost dog, the more likely the person who spots him will call you.
6. Tag your car with Neon Car Glass Markers. Tape a photo of your pet to your car’s back window.
7. Ask people to check their garages, under their decks, in barns and sheds - especially at night.
8. Put a LOST PET sign on your lawn and/or in the exact spot your dog went missing. Also, place signs at major intersections in the area. People who find dogs will often drive around trying to find the owners.
9. Call all veterinary clinics including those outside your local area as sometimes people pick up a stray and drive it to a distant clinic.
10. Contact your microchip company and ensure your microchip information is up to date.
11. Call all surrounding animal shelters and animal control officers, local dog kennels, dog training clubs, and grooming shops to get the word out.
12. Visit all local dog pounds and animal shelters. Do not rely on their information, go in and look at all dogs DAILY.
If you think your pet is at the OHS, visit the during our hours of operation at the Municipal Animal Shelter to pick them up.
To claim a lost pet, please contact us at 613-725-3166, ext. 223 to make an appointment.
13. Take an article of clothing that has been worn at least a day, the longer the better, so your dog can pick up the scent. Bring the article of clothing to the location where your dog was last seen and leave it there. Also, if your dog has a crate and familiar toy, you can bring those too (unless location undesirable for crate). You might also want to leave a note requesting item(s) not to be moved. Check intermittently if possible.
Even the friendliest and most social dogs may quickly become terrified and wild. Your own friendly dog when lost may hide from people and run away. He may even run away from you. Don't chase after a lost dog - they are much faster and you will only scare them more. Instead, sit on the ground, talk in normal tones repeating his name and familiar phrases over and over again. A frightened, hungry animal will usually stick around, and after a few minutes or hours, come closer and closer. Bring high value treats like bacon, hot dogs, chicken, hamburgers, etc.
You may need to rent or purchase a humane live trap.
Most importantly, DON'T GIVE UP! Be aggressive in your search, get lots of help, get the word out right away - don't wait a few hours "to see if he'll come home on his own." You will need those first few hours to inform as many people as possible.
DOG RUNNING SCARED
When a dog is running scared, it switches from friendly house pet to survival mode. This means that it feels hunted by people who are trying to bring him to safety, and his instinct is to flee. Often, this mindset is so strong that it will even run from his owner in fear. Here are the steps to take when attempting to catch a dog that is running scared:
1. DO NOT call the dog's name, whistle, clap, pat your leg, etc. The dog WILL run away.
2. GET DOWN on the ground. Sit, crouch or lie down.
3. IGNORE! DO NOT make eye contact. Turn away, bow your head. This is the least threatening position to be in.
4. STAY QUIET Don't speak to the dog, even as he approaches you. This is critical in building trust.
5. EAT. Gently crinkle a plastic food wrapper, and act like you are eating, making quiet chewing sounds. Drop food on the ground near you.
6. BE STILL as the dog approaches and starts to eat the food you dropped. Keep dropping food closer to you.
7. PATIENCE. This can take a long time. Don't jump the gun and reach out to pet. Use your gut instinct. If the dog is still very skittish, reaching to pet it will likely make him take off. If the dog seems calm, you can VERY SLOWLY try feeding it by hand.
8. MAKING CONTACT. If your gut says the dog is ready to be touched, gently touch the dog (least threatening place is under the chin. A hand coming from above spooks many dogs). If the dog accepts the touch, keep feeding, keep quiet and keep petting it. Be patient. You are building trust for as long as it takes.
9. LEASH. If the dog has a collar, you might be able to slip a leash through it. However, the collar can come off if the dog pulls back in alarm. A slip leash (just pass the leash through the handle to make a "noose"), is more effective on preventing the dog from escaping. Let him sniff the leash, and be patient. This is tricky, as most dogs will see the leash as a restraint. When you sense he will accept it, try petting him, offer more treats, and slowly slip the noosed leash over the head.
10. STAY CALM after the leash is on the dog. Don't get excited as this will scare him. Stay sitting, keep feeding and petting. Talk quietly and reassuringly. Once the dog is calm, slowly stand, still staying in a non threatening demeanor. More treats! Off you go calmly and quietly.
Lost dog prevention/Flight risk dogs
Lost Dog Prevention Advice
Due to an influx in the number of rescue and newly adopted dogs to the area this document has been prepared to provide suggestions in regards to flight prevention and subsequent recovery actions required. Hopefully this information will be useful to those who are welcoming one of these new dogs into their homes as an adoption/foster.
All newly adopted and or foster dogs including dogs from outside of the area or abroad may exhibit behaviours that make them an increased flight risk including but not limited to:
Fear
Anxiety
Unfamiliarity/Nervousness to environment
It would be beneficial to access your dog's disposition as early as possible.
Is my dog a high flight risk?
Understanding and Managing Flight-Risk Dogs
What Is a Flight-Risk Dog?A dog is considered a flight risk when their instinct, especially when frightened, is to run away from people rather than toward them. These dogs often react strongly to sudden noises or movements. Many have had limited socialization—they may have come from good homes but with little exposure to new people, places, or routines. Newly adopted dogs and those entering a foster home are also at higher risk until they settle and build confidence.
Helping Your Dog Settle In
Safely Reduce Startle Triggers and be mindful of sounds that may alarm a nervous dog, such as door slams, ice makers, or buzzing appliances. Keeping the environment calm helps build trust.
Careful Vehicle Exits
Short, Frequent Walks.
Take your dog on regular brief walks to help them learn the neighborhood. Familiarity with the area can be lifesaving if they ever get loose.
Always Use Visible ID.
Your dog should wear a collar with their name and your phone number at all times. For shy dogs who may avoid people, consider an embroidered collar with large, bright lettering that can be read from a distance.
Safe Walking Equipment
Safety While Traveling
If Your Dog Gets Loose
We recommend researching the following:
Canine body language
Hazards and safety protocols for dogs in home and yard
Potential escape route from yard
Dog’s behaviour assessment (if none consider highest flight risk)
Flight mode and defensive handling
Proper use of a lead or leash
Correctly fitting of a harness
Correctly fitting a martingale collar
Recommended lost dog prevention tips:
Lost Dog Recovery
RFID (microchips)
Ensure you update the microchip to current information if there are any problems detecting who the manufacturer is please contact [email protected] with the first 4 digits of the chip.
If your foster dog becomes lost in Ottawa, please create a lost report with OHS
as well as notifying OVLPN or if you don't have Facebook, at [email protected] where we will create a lost post for you.
Due to an influx in the number of rescue and newly adopted dogs to the area this document has been prepared to provide suggestions in regards to flight prevention and subsequent recovery actions required. Hopefully this information will be useful to those who are welcoming one of these new dogs into their homes as an adoption/foster.
All newly adopted and or foster dogs including dogs from outside of the area or abroad may exhibit behaviours that make them an increased flight risk including but not limited to:
Fear
Anxiety
Unfamiliarity/Nervousness to environment
It would be beneficial to access your dog's disposition as early as possible.
Is my dog a high flight risk?
Understanding and Managing Flight-Risk Dogs
What Is a Flight-Risk Dog?A dog is considered a flight risk when their instinct, especially when frightened, is to run away from people rather than toward them. These dogs often react strongly to sudden noises or movements. Many have had limited socialization—they may have come from good homes but with little exposure to new people, places, or routines. Newly adopted dogs and those entering a foster home are also at higher risk until they settle and build confidence.
Helping Your Dog Settle In
Safely Reduce Startle Triggers and be mindful of sounds that may alarm a nervous dog, such as door slams, ice makers, or buzzing appliances. Keeping the environment calm helps build trust.
Careful Vehicle Exits
Short, Frequent Walks.
Take your dog on regular brief walks to help them learn the neighborhood. Familiarity with the area can be lifesaving if they ever get loose.
Always Use Visible ID.
Your dog should wear a collar with their name and your phone number at all times. For shy dogs who may avoid people, consider an embroidered collar with large, bright lettering that can be read from a distance.
Safe Walking Equipment
- Use a sturdy nylon or leather leash--not a retractable leash. If dropped, retractable handles can “chase” the dog and cause panic.
- Pair a secure harness with a martingale collar to prevent slipping out of equipment.
- For extra security, attach the leash to two points (e.g., collar + harness). A leash coupler can make this easy.
- Check the fit every time you go out. Collars should not slip over the ears and harnesses should be snug but comfortable.
- Keep flight-risk dogs leashed or in a fully fenced space at all times. Electric or invisible fences are not suitable for fearful dogs, as they may bolt through the boundary and avoid returning.
Safety While Traveling
- Ensure your dog is properly secured in the vehicle.
- If you cannot unload the dog into a fenced or enclosed area, attach the leash before opening any door and keep a firm grip.
- Create an “airlock” inside your home using baby gates to prevent accidental dashes through open doors.
If Your Dog Gets Loose
- Do not chase the dog. Sit or lie down, speak softly, and encourage them to approach you. Move slowly to reattach the leash.
- If they do not return quickly, contact animal control and notify nearby neighbors right away.
We recommend researching the following:
Canine body language
Hazards and safety protocols for dogs in home and yard
Potential escape route from yard
Dog’s behaviour assessment (if none consider highest flight risk)
Flight mode and defensive handling
Proper use of a lead or leash
Correctly fitting of a harness
Correctly fitting a martingale collar
Recommended lost dog prevention tips:
- Never let dog outdoors even in a fenced area without a leash for at least the first 2 weeks or when they become comfortable with their new environment.
- Two forms of restraint are recommended for first 4 weeks ie: Martingale and harness
- Retractable leads are never recommended as a dropped handle can startle your dog and the dragging handle could confuse dog in flight to thinking it is being chased
- Always supervise dogs outdoor time even in fenced yard
- Keep dogs indoors during Thunderstorms or fireworks
- Double check leashes, collars and harnesses prior to walks
- Safety barriers such as baby gates should be used indoors
- Use a seat belt and harness during transportation in a vehicle
- Thoroughly prepare and educate any individual who may be looking after your dog in your absence
- Ensure microchip information is current and accurate
- Create a Dog Identification Package including: current photo (standing), detailed description,microchip company contact information and microchip number, behavioral traits, any medications, favorite treats, vet records, contact information, lost and found websites contact info (This package would be very handy for anyone pet sitting for you)
Lost Dog Recovery
- Report dog the lost right away, providing all details such as last time seen, direction of travel
- Provide information from your Dog identification package
RFID (microchips)
Ensure you update the microchip to current information if there are any problems detecting who the manufacturer is please contact [email protected] with the first 4 digits of the chip.
If your foster dog becomes lost in Ottawa, please create a lost report with OHS
as well as notifying OVLPN or if you don't have Facebook, at [email protected] where we will create a lost post for you.