Prevention Making your search easier should this happen to you!
·	Have your pet wear a collar with an ID tag. These dog licenses are available at Town Hall;
·	Using an indelible marker, you can also write your pet’s name and your phone number on its collar;
·	Keep your dog’s license number handy (for example on the fridge door) as well as the telephone number of the organization it is registered with (for Saint-Lazare, the Town Hall phone number);
·	Make a note of your dog’s distinguishing features. For example: a broken tooth, a particular marking on the tongue or body, an old wound, and so on. These features may become important should someone find your pet and ask for detailed information to make sure you are its rightful owner!
·	Always have recent photos of your pet. Digital photos are best because they can quickly be turned into flyers.

In case of loss: act quickly! What you should do immediately after your pet strays!
·	Near where your pet strayed: leave one or two items it is familiar with (with its scent or yours); a pet that has strayed sometimes returns to the place it started off from;
·	Inform local people immediately (homes nearby) and leave your phone number at home and at work;
·	Go home to prepare flyers and remember to include:
·  a description of your pet and any other relevant information; ·  the colour of its collar, the license number and the municipality; ·  the name your pet answers to; ·  its distinguishing features (timid, sociable, white paws, etc.) ·  if possible, a colour photo of your pet so that people who are not familiar with its breed have a better chance of recognizing it; ·  your phone numbers at work and at home (long-distance charges accepted, etc.); ·  the date when and the place where your pet strayed.
·	Distribute your flyers as soon as possible
·  at major traffic intersections in the area, if allowed by the municipality; ·  at convenience stores, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations nearby; ·  at postal outlets and post offices.
·	Quickly inform by telephone, email and fax the following people and organizations and, if possible, send them your flyer so that they can post it:
·  veterinary clinics in the area since animals found are often brought in (especially if they are hurt); ·  municipalities in the area; ·  the person or agency responsible for animal control in the area; ·  the organization with which your pet is registered (license) ; ·  local animal shelters; ·  Montreal’s SPCA, the Berger Blanc and other animal shelters. These organizations cover large territories and your pet may have been taken to one of them; ·  the regional S.Q. office and municipal police departments: although this is not their main concern, they do keep an eye on the area and also get reports from citizens about stray animals; ·  your friends living in the area (send them one of your flyers).
·	Put an ad in local newspapers. Choose the one that covers the widest territory and the one that will be published the soonest after the event. as soon as possible!
·	Drive through the neighbourhood often if your dog is afraid of strangers and will only approach its master.

Widening the search: use your imagination! Do not give up!
·	All the stops must be pulled to find a loved one! Even contacting local radio stations can be helpful! Do not stick to the traditional route and explore all other avenues. Here are a few websites where you can post a notice or search the "lost and found" free of charge:
·	www.chienchien.com/disparition.html
·	www.sergev.com (the largest bulletin board of lost and found pets in Quebec)
·	http://kiss.to/casca
·	www.spca.com/petalert/perdu.asp

Animal control on the Saint-Lazare territory »»

Dog tags »»

By-law concerning dogs »»