If your cat is currently lost, visit our Lost and Found Pets page for where to look for them and tips on bringing them home.
Tips to Prevent Your Cat From Getting Lost
While identification and a license won’t prevent your pet from running away or getting lost, it will help them return home.
It is recommended to have both permanent (e.g. tattoo or microchip) and non-permanent (e.g. tag on collar) ID.
Remember to keep your contact information up to date with your pet’s microchip company! You can get your pet’s ID tag engraved at Bingo’s Pet Shop.
A pet license registers them with the City of Edmonton and Animal Care & Control Centre so they can reach you if your pet ends up in their care.
Read our Guide to Pet Identification to learn more.
A cat who goes outdoors is exposed to many risks, including other animals, traffic, adverse weather, diseases, poisoning, and more.
It is recommended that cats be kept indoors and provided enrichment to allow them to express their natural cat behaviours and keep busy while safe inside.
If your cat insists on going outside, they should only be let out in an enclosed ‘catio’ or on a harness and leash under supervision.
Check out Bingo’s Pet Shop at EHS for cat leashes and harnesses.
Providing enrichment for your cat helps with both their physical and mental health, allowing them to express natural behaviours and reduce unwanted ones – such as scratching.
Check out our Cat Enrichment Guide for ideas.
Resources for Cats and Their Guardians
Spay/Neuter Your Cat
Hormones can be a driving factor for cats to roam, especially male cats looking for a mate.
Spaying (females) or neutering (males) is the most effective way to prevent unwanted litters and can also reduce health and behaviour issues in your pet – such as roaming.
There are subsidized programs to spay/neuter your pet if the cost is a challenge.
| Program | Details |
| EHS PALS Program | Our subsidized PALS (Prevent Another Litter Subsidy) program is offered for those who meet the low-income requirements. If approved, the program only costs a low administration fee. |
| AARCS SNAP Program | AARCS’ Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) offers affordable spay/neuter surgeries for dogs and cats in Alberta’s First Nations communities. |
| AHAS | The Alberta Helping Animals Society (AHAS) offers no-cost veterinary services to qualified, low-income clients, including spay/neuter surgery. |
Need More Options?
If these options haven’t worked for you, you can return to our HELP Tool to find more ideas tailored to different concerns.
If you’re thinking of re-homing your pet, we recommend taking steps to find them a new home yourself before bringing them to a rescue or shelter. Pets often do better if they can go directly to a new family. For tips on how to responsibly rehome your pet, read our guide.
We’re Here to Help
If you still have questions or want to talk about other options, please submit a support request below and a member of our team will get in touch with you.