Have you Lost or Found a Dog??
Updated: Feb 18, 2021
What to do if you’ve lost your dog
By law, your dog should always wear a collar and tag with your name and address on when out in public. It was also compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped by 2016.
If your dog is wearing a tag and is microchipped, this will hugely increase your chances of being reunited with them if they go missing.
If your dog has gone missing, here are some things you can do:
Call the microchip database they are registered with and report them as lost or stolen. Make sure your contact details are always up to date.
Contact your local authority dog warden, via your local council – they are legally responsible for stray dogs and may well have picked up your pet. They will hold on to stray dogs for seven days but, after this time, dogs will be rehomed or put to sleep if no home can be found for them.
Contact neighbouring local authorities too as dogs may move across local council borders
Call local kennels/charities – it’s possible someone has found the dog and taken them to a local rehoming centre or kennels
Contact local vet surgeries or animal hospitals – if your dog has been injured, they may have been taken there for treatment
Check online lost and found websites and notice boards in your local area. Register your dog on DogLost, a free national database which is run by volunteers who will help you to search for your dog.
If you think your dog has been stolen, call the police
Put up notices in your local area with an up to date photo of your dog
Visit places where other dog walkers go and ask them to keep an eye out for your dog
What to do if you’ve found a dog
If you’ve found a stray dog, check to see if they’re wearing a tag with the owner’s details on. If they are, and you’re happy to do this, contact the owner and arrange to give them back the dog.
Otherwise contact your local authority dog warden via your local council. They are legally responsible for stray dogs and will come and collect the dog from you and take them to a holding kennels while they wait to see if their owner will claim them.