Lost & Found Animals

Lost Animals

Pet owners who have lost their pet must visit our shelter as soon as possible to see if their animal is here, file a lost report, leave a picture and visit the shelter at least every three days to check for their lost pet. Microchip or other identification (tattoo, licence and/or I.D.) makes it easier for shelter staff to identify a lost pet and try to contact the owner; however, given the sheer volume of stray animals arriving at the shelter every day, you must take responsibility for finding your lost pet and check with us regularly.

Identifying and contacting animal owners is much easier if an animal is microchipped. For this reason, we microchip all dogs and cats in our shelter who are available for adoption. We also occasionally offer low cost microchipping clinics.

How do I claim my pet?

To claim your pet from HSHPE, the City of Belleville requires that you provide the following:

• Valid identification with your current address, or photo ID and proof of current address (for example, a hydro or phone bill, lease, pay stub with address, bank statement or government document)
• Proof of ownership (for example, an adoption certificate or purchase bill or a recent veterinary bill, rabies tag number or municipal licence)
• Payment of release fees. Release fees vary depending on the length of time the animal has been in the shelter. The animal cannot be released without release fees being paid.
• Payment of municipal licence fee if your animal is not already licenced.

What if I don’t claim my pet before the stray period expires?

Although provincial regulations state that shelters must hold animals 72 hours before releasing them for adoption, we hold animals 5 days and attempt to locate their owners. If owners cannot be found, animals are assessed, given any needed medical attention, including vaccinations, spay/neutering and microchipping. They are then made available for adoption.