Animal sheltering services for lost, stray or abandoned dogs found in Metro Vancouver parks in the Greater Langley area are provided by LAPS as a donor funded program. LAPS is not paid for housing these dogs but provides the service to ensure that no dog is left without the safety and security they need.
Dogs are housed through either LAPS’ foster care program or are placed by LAPS in third-party boarding facilities, where their care is directly overseen by LAPS’ leadership and staff.
When a lost, stray or abandoned dog is found, LAPS’ Animal Control Officers’ primary goal is to reunite dogs with their guardians as quickly and safely as possible. Their vehicles serve as mobile offices, equipped to trace dog license tags, scan and track microchips, and identify and trace tattoos. Our team goes above and beyond, knocking on doors, reaching out to community members, monitoring social media posts and more, to ensure every dog makes it safely home. We’re committed to providing a personalized, attentive service so that no adventurous dog is ever lost or injured while exploring the world outside the safety of their home.
If an owner cannot be located, or a dog cannot be returned home immediately, LAPS will look for a suitable foster home where the animal can stay until they are able to return home. If there is no foster home is available and the dog is appearing healthy, our officers will bring the dog to a pre-screened third-party boarding facility, where it will stay until it can be brought home. As with any animal, if the dog appears sick or injured, LAPS will immediately seek care through a veterinary clinic where often the dog will spend the night.
Foster care plays a vital role in giving animals a safe and nurturing environment while they await reunification with their guardian. LAPS coordinates care for lost, stray and abandoned animals through its foster network when an owner cannot be found.
LAPS’ foster care program places animals in the homes of trained staff and dedicated volunteers who provide individualized care. All foster candidates complete a thorough screening process, including interviews and home assessments, to ensure their homes are safe and suitable. Many of our foster caregivers have professional experience in animal welfare, and all approved fosters complete specialized training to support animals with behavioural and medical needs in accordance with recognized welfare standards. LAPS provides ongoing support to caregivers, including staff availability for guidance and 24/7 assistance in the event of a medical emergency.
Learn more about LAPS’ Foster Care Program.
Third-party boarding facilities provide a vital service in our community by ensuring no dog is left without safe, temporary sheltering when a dog cannot be returned home and foster care is unavailable.
On occasion, LAPS uses third-party boarding facilities to house lost, stray or abandoned dogs founds in Metro Vancouver parks in the Greater Langley area. In these cases, LAPS works with pre-approved third-party boarding facilities that share LAPS’ positive reinforcement philosophy and meet our standards for humane and enriched care. All aspects of animal care at these facilities are overseen by LAPS’ leadership team, ensuring animals receive appropriate care while supporting public safety and confidentiality.
Selection of Third-party Boarding Facilities
All third-party boarding facilities that LAPS works with undergo a rigorous screening and approval process to ensure they meet our animal welfare standards.
Facilities are selected based on LAPS’ familiarity with their operations, their reputation within the community and their demonstrated ability to meet LAPS’ expectations. Our team conducts a thorough review of their practices to ensure they can closely mirror LAPS’ care standards, including a detailed evaluation of their staff’s skill set, training and certifications. Types and scope of the facility’s insurance is also evaluated.
In selecting each facility, LAPS reviews:
LAPS Oversight and Compliance Measures
We remain fully accountable for the animals in our care, regardless of whether they are housed directly with a LAPS staff or temporarily placed with a third party.
LAPS staff and leadership maintain direct oversight over LAPS animals in these facilities, including regular site visits, animal welfare checks and ongoing communication with boarding facility staff. Our protocols ensure that every animal receives compassionate, high-quality care until they are reunited with their guardians or placed in a new home.
How we care for animals in third-party boarding facilities
LAPS prioritized boarding facilities eager to work collaboratively with our organization.
Facilities accommodate consistent LAPS staff attendance, work with our approved dog trainers and coordinate with designated LAPS team members who oversee the animals’ care. Further, the boarding facilities complete LAPS’ daily monitoring requirements and partner with us to implement our personalized behaviour plans for each animal, which include daily routines, hours of care and detailed veterinary emergency plans to ensure continuity of care and clear response procedures should urgent medical needs arise.
In line with LAPS’ standard protocols, all animals receive a comprehensive intake examination by LAPS staff and are provided with appropriate preventative health care prior to placement in a boarding facility.
While in boarding, dogs receive appropriate housing, food, enrichment, medical care and exercise. LAPS staff monitor their wellbeing, arrange veterinary care as needed, support behaviour and training, and transport the dogs back to their guardians when found, at no additional cost.
Facility Locations
Facilities are located in the Fraser Valley area and have a history of serving the community.
LAPS’ agreements with boarding facilities include a strict requirement that their names and locations are not publicly disclosed—at the request of the facilities. This is a critical safety measure and appropriate for the boarding environment. Confidentiality protects facility staff, the animals being sheltered and members of the public. In addition, these sites are not open to the public, do not have regular visiting hours and are not equipped to handle adoption inquiries or other public interactions. Keeping facilities confidential allows facility staff to focus on providing the best care for each animal.
For information on adopting an animal, see our Adoption page.
Once an owner is found and confirmed, animals are returned directly to their owners by LAPS’ officers. As part of our commitment to continuity of care, dog guardians are informed directly and confidentially about where their dog was housed. Confidentiality is necessary due to the sensitivity and security risks associated with animal housing and the existing agreements with our partner facilities and foster care program volunteers.
For more information on how LAPS works with third-party boarding facilities, see our FAQs page.