Lost and Found Pets
If your pet is missing, or you have found a stray dog or cat in Kawartha Lakes, contact Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing as soon as possible. The team consists of animal lovers that do everything in their power to return pets to their owners.
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Call 705-324-9411 extension 1212
After hours: after 4:30pm, weekends and holidays
Call 705-928-3054
If you reach voicemail, leave:
- your name
- your phone number
- your address
- a brief description of the dog and what happened
Messages will be returned as soon as staff are available.
Make it Easier for Your Pet to Get Home
A dog licence can help us reconnect you with your pet faster if they become lost.
Have you lost your cat or dog?
Contact us as soon as you notice your dog or cat is missing. We can check whether the animal has been picked up or reported found.
You can also check the City of Kawartha Lakes Facebook page. When Municipal Law Enforcement picks up a stray dog or cat, we post information there to help find its owner.
The municipality’s Facebook page is monitored during regular business hours only, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, by the Communications division.
Municipal Law Enforcement does not actively monitor the Facebook posts. Residents with questions or feedback relating to a found animal post are encouraged to contact MLEL directly via the contact information in the Facebook post (listed in the “What should I do” section above).
Please do not report a lost pet through Facebook. Contact Municipal Law Enforcement directly using the phone numbers at the top of this page.
Have you have found a stray dog or cat?
before transporting or making arrangements for a stray animal, contact Municipal Law Enforcement using the number at the top of this page. Staff will help determine the next steps and, when required, arrange for the animal to be picked up or brought into municipal care.
Interested in adopting a found dog or cat?
The City does not normally complete pet adoptions directly. Animals that are not claimed may be transferred to the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes or another rescue or adoption organization.
If you are interested in a dog or cat currently in municipal care, contact Municipal Law Enforcement at 705-324-9411 extension 1212.
What happens when the City picks up a stray animal?
Stray animals picked up by Municipal Law Enforcement are taken to a municipal pound facility and held for up to three days to give the owner time to come forward. During this time, we work to reunite the animal with its owner.
If the animal is not claimed, it may be transferred to the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes or another rescue or adoption organization. Once an animal has been transferred to another organization, it is no longer in the City's care.
The City is not able to provide long-term care for lost or unclaimed animals. While they are normally held for the required three-day period, some may stay in municipal care longer while staff work to find an owner, rescue organization or other placement.
In rare cases, a dog or cat may be euthanized when a suitable long-term care option cannot be found. This decision is made with a veterinarian and is based on the individual circumstances and welfare of the animal.
Regulating Animals in Kawartha Lakes
All of the details regarding animal regulation in Kawartha Lakes can be found in By-Law 2021-072 (download).
Questions about Municipal Law Enforcement and Licencing?
Office Location: 37 Lindsay St South, Lindsay ON
Walk-in service: Tuesday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Call: 705-324-9411 ext. 1212 or 1-888-822-2225 ext. 1212 during above business hours.
