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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HORSE IS MISSING
IF YOUR HORSE IS MISSING OR STOLEN ACT IMMEDIATELY…
Updated 2026 | Originally published October 2016
We wish this wasn’t necessary to say — but as long as horse slaughter exists in Canada, every missing horse must be treated as an emergency.
Even if you’re not sure your horse has been stolen… you need to act immediately.
TAKE FIVE MINUTES TODAY — THIS COULD SAVE YOUR HORSE
Before anything ever happens, take a few minutes and make sure you have clear, up-to-date photos of your horse.
At minimum, you should have:
– Left side
– Right side
– Front view
– Rear view
If possible, also include:
Close-ups of markings, scars, brands, or unique features.
It takes just a few minutes. Your phone is all you need. And if the worst happens, those photos become critical for:
– Police reports
– Inspectors
– Auctions
– Social media alerts
In a system where time is everything, clear photos can mean the difference between life and death for your horse or horses.
THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO WAIT
In Canada, horses delivered to slaughter plants may be killed the same day they arrive.
There is:
– NOT a mandatory holding period
– No reliable ownership verification – ownership verification is based on the ‘honour system’
In other words there are not any consistent safeguards to stop stolen horses from being slaughtered.
That means your horse could be:
– Taken overnight or while you are at work or away for a few hours or the day
– Transported to a small or large slaughter facility within hours
– And slaughtered before you even realize they’re missing
IN CANADA & NORTHERN USA STATES
1. CALL LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SERVICES (LIS)
403-553-2844
Call even if your horse is not branded
Call even if you’re not sure it’s theft
Do not assume someone else will call
This is your fastest entry point into the livestock system
———-
CALL MAPAQ (QUEBEC ANIMAL WELFARE LINE)
1-844-ANIMAUX (1-844-264-6289)
Call even if your horse is not branded
Call even if you’re not sure it’s theft
Do not assume someone else will call
Important:
This is a general intake/reporting system
Your call is logged and routed to inspectors
There may be delays
Which is why you must continue with Step 2 immediately
2. CALL THE ALBERTA BASED SLAUGHTER PLANT DIRECTLY
Bouvry Exports — Fort MacLeod, Alberta
403-253-0717
Do not rely on anyone else to notify them
Call immediately
———-
CALL THE QUEBEC BASED SLAUGHTER PLANT DIRECTLY
Viande Richelieu — Quebec
450-788-2667
– Do not rely on the system to notify them
– Do not wait for a callback
– Make the call yourself — immediately
3. CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT
Contact RCMP or local police
Ask for livestock investigators
INSIST on filing a report
If you encounter resistance — be firm.
You need this on record.
4. CONTACT LOCAL LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS — IMMEDIATELY
This is critical.
Horses are often moved quickly through auctions
Call:
Auctions in your local area
Auctions in neighbouring towns
Auctions in neighbouring provinces
Provide:
– Description
– Photos
– Date/time missing
– Your contact info
5. USE SOCIAL MEDIA (AND IF POSSIBLE THE PRESS)
CREATE A POST ON YOUR PERSONAL PROFILE AND THEN…
Share the post in:
Buy/sell livestock groups
Community groups
Local farm groups
Province-wide horse groups
Lost pet groups
Include:
– Clear photos
– Location
– Timeline
– Contact info
Then:
Ask your family and friends to help share
The goal is saturation — fast.
DO NOT WAIT
Do not:
“Wait until morning”
“See if they come back”
“Assume someone else will act”
You must act fast, wide, and aggressively
Because in this system:
Horses move fast
Paperwork is weak
Oversight is limited
And once they enter the slaughter pipeline… it may already be too late.
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