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.

Found a Dog or Cat

If you have found a stray dog or cat, please contact Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing so an officer can attend.

The City's Animal Control By-Law applies to urban cats. An urban cat is a cat found within a Village, Hamlet or Town.

For an officer to attend, the dog or cat must be contained. This may include being:

• Inside a dwelling
• In a garage
• In a backyard
• Secured on a leash
• In a kennel or carrier

Contact Municipal Law Enforcement during regular office hours or through the after-hours number for assistance.

If an officer is unable to attend, residents may take the animal directly to Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, 107 McLaughlin Road, Lindsay, during their business hours, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday.

Retrieving your Pet

Animals picked up by Municipal Law Enforcement are not kept at the Municipal Enforcement offices.

If you believe your pet has been picked up, you will need to attend the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing office first.

To retrieve your pet, you will need to provide:

• Proof of ownership
• Proof of current rabies vaccination
• Photo identification

If your pet is not licensed, a pet licence will need to be purchased before the animal can be released.

Fees may apply for the housing and care of your pet, depending on how long the animal has been in care. Staff can provide you with the applicable fees before payment is made.

Once all required registration and payments have been completed, Municipal Law Enforcement will notify the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes that the animal can be released to its owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to unclaimed dogs and cats?

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.

Can I adopt a pet that I called in as a stray or saw on the City’s Facebook page?

Adoptions of animals in the care of the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes are handled directly by the Humane Society. Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing does not assist with animal adoptions.

Does Municipal Law Enforcement work with volunteer animal tracking or re-homing organizations?

Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing does not have a working or contractual relationship with volunteer animal tracking or re-homing organizations.

If you have questions or concerns about lost animals, re-homing, or information posted on an organization's website or social media page, please contact that organization directly.

I am concerned that an animal has been abandoned or mistreated. Who should I contact?

Animal welfare concerns, including suspected animal abuse, mistreatment or abandonment, are handled by the appropriate animal welfare agency.

Animal Welfare Services:
1-833-926-4625

How are animals regulated in Kawartha Lakes?

All of the details regarding animal regulation in Kawartha Lakes can be found in By-Law 2021-072 (download).