There’s nothing that can turn a sunny day into a cloudy one faster than coming across a printout on a hydro pole showing a picture of a dog’s face and an owner’s note asking if anyone has seen their missing pet.
Sadly, many of the countless pets that go missing are never reunited with their pet parents. While there are no official statistics of how many pets get lost in Canada each year, it’s likely similar to American statistics that show one in three pets will get lost at some point in their lives. And, considering that Canada was home to an estimated 7.2 million dogs and 8.2 million cats in 2024, according to the Canadian Animal Health Institute, that means potential heartbreak for many pet owners.
There are, however, several ways owners can reduce the likelihood their dogs and cats go missing and not be found. Dogs, for instance, should always be kept on a secured leash or in a fully fenced-in yard, and they should always wear a collar with updated contact information.
