Important Tips & Info

What to do if your pet is lost or missing

Please contact us ASAP at info@gerdysrescue.org.

  • Contact vets, animal rescue organizations, etc. Leave your contact info with everyone.
  • Talk to as many neighbours as possible (who live in the area), as this will increase your chances of finding your pet. Be especially talkative with neighbours who have pets, as their pet may have interacted with yours and they may be more attuned to noticing a stray animal in the neighbourhood.
  • Ask people for their ideas on how to find your pet. One example would be to leave a cage in the backyard with water, which may lure it back home.

Places to phone

  • The SPCAs and Berger Blanc (depending on the municipality you reside in). Go in person with a photo and details about your pet.
  • Public security in your area to report the missing pet.
  • City Hall and leave your contact information.
  • Veterinarians in your area, including your pet’s vet, and put up a poster in their office (with permission).

Put up posters

Some information to include:

  • Your contact information.
  • Name and description of the pet.
  • If the pet requires medication.
  • Date that your pet went missing.
  • Where your pet was last seen.
  • Is your pet microchipped.
  • If a reward is offered.
What to do if you find a lost pet
  • Don’t assume that it has been abandoned! It may be somebody’s house pet that snuck out the door and got lost and is trying to find its way back home!
  • Take the animal to a local veterinarian to check for a microchip.
  • Check with the SPCAs and Berger Blanc.
  • Check and post with rescue groups on Facebook.
  • Call local veterinarians to report that you found the animal, and leave your contact information in case they get a phone call from the owner who is looking for their lost pet.
  • Contact your local city hall or Public Security to report it, as they may have heard from the owner as well.
  • Consider putting up a “found” poster in the area.
NEVER…
  • Never advertise an unwanted or unsterilized pet “free to a good home.” Testing labs, puppy mills and dog fighting rings often get animals that way.
  • Never tie your dog up outside a store or shopping centre. He may not be there when you come out.
  • Never run a dog alongside your bicycle on a leash. You have no way of being aware how tired they are getting and a sudden distraction could cause serious injury to both you and your pet. Run with your dog. It is healthier for both of you. You’ll know when you’ve BOTH had enough. Besides, they would rather relate to you than to your bike.
  • Never leave your dog or car in your car, ever, in the heat or cold. They can die from heat exposure or hypothermia.
  • Never give them small bones, balls or toys that may be accidentally swallowed. Keep the toy size relative to the size of their mouth.
  • Never encourage a puppy to playfully chew on your hands. That encourages nipping later.
Caution!
  • Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets, but most brands are poisonous if consumed. Should your pet ingest any amount of antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately.
  • Ice-melting chemicals can irritate and burn the pads of your pet’s feet and can cause serious injury if ingested.
  • Slap the hood of your vehicle before starting it. In their search to keep warm outdoors, cats often take refuge next to a warm car engine or tire.
  • Windshield wiper fluid is toxic to pets.
  • Houseplants can be toxic and even lethal to pets. For a list of plants to be concerned about check out (Animal Poison Control Center) at www.aspca.org or take pictures of your plants and do a Google Image Search.
  • Many foods are toxic and even lethal to pets like chocolate, diet gum with xylitol (also called birch sugar).

Do you have an animal poison emergency?
Call a 24-hour veterinary diagnostic and treatment hotline:
1-888-426-4435

People Foods Pets Should Never Eat

This list from the ASPCA Poison Control Center isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a great place to start.

  • Chocolate, Caffeine
    These products all contain methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death.
  • Alcohol
    Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.
  • Avocado
    The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.
  • Macadamia Nuts
    Macadamia nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.
  • Grapes, Raisins
    Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.
  • Yeast
    Yeast dough can rise and cause gas in an animal’s digestive system. This can be painful and can even cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of daily caloric intake.
  • Raw meat, Eggs
    Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems.
  • Xylitol Sweetener (also called Birch Sugar)
    Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia. Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.
  • Onions, Garlic, Chives
    These pungent items can cause gastrointestinal irritation and lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but pets should not be given large quantities of these foods.
  • Milk
    Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.
  • Salt
    Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Too much salt can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.